The epidemiological picture of the various countries was re-evaluated by the Infectious Diseases Surveillance and Control Unit of the Medical Services and Public Health Services, regarding COVID-19 disease.
The assessment was based on the epidemiological indicators of the countries, such as: actual R (t) breeding number for SARS-CoV-2, the number of new diagnoses, the number of laboratory tests, the mortality rate per 100,000 inhabitants, the estimated prevalence and the impact and classification by the World Health Organization (WHO) as these indicators are presented in valid databases.
The following categorization of countries, based on epidemiological risk assessment, is extremely dynamic and can be adapted at any time, as the pandemic evolves and epidemiological data change. To this end, new data will be announced and the list of countries will be updated frequently.
It is noted that the relevant categorization of countries has taken into account the recommendation of the European Council, dated 30 June, for the progressive and coordinated lifting of travel bans to the European Union.
Category A – Low risk countries at this stage
• Member States of the European Union: 1) Austria, 2) Germany, 3) Denmark, 4) Greece, 5) Estonia, 6) Ireland, 7) Latvia, 8) Lithuania, 9) Malta, 10) Hungary, 11) Poland , 12) Slovakia, 13) Slovenia, 14) Finland
• Members of the Schengen Area: 1) Switzerland, 2) Iceland, 3) Liechtenstein, 4) Norway
• Third Countries: 1) Japan, 2) Canada, 3) New Zealand, 4) South Korea
Please note that for passengers from Category A countries, a COVID-19 laboratory test certificate is not required, nor is self-quarantine required.
Category B – Countries with potentially low risk but more doubtful compared to Category A
• Member States of the European Union: 1) Belgium, 2) Bulgaria, 3) France, 4) Spain, 5) Italy, 6) Croatia, 7) Luxembourg, 8) The Netherlands, 9) Romania, 10) Czech Republic
• Small states: 1) Andorra, 2) Monaco, 3) Vatican City, 4) San Marino
• Third Countries: 1) Georgia, 2) Uruguay, 3) Australia
It is noted that passengers coming from Category B countries are required to have undergone a laboratory test in the last at least 72 hours before departure and to have a Certificate, which proves a negative PCR test for the virus.
It is clarified that passengers from category B countries falling into the following categories may undergo the molecular examination upon arrival in the Republic:
a) Cypriot citizens permanently residing in the Republic, their foreign spouses and their minor children,
b) all legally residents in the Republic.
It is noted that the cost of the test is covered by them and in addition these people should remain under house quarantine until the result is issued.
Category C – Countries at increased risk compared to categories A and B.
• Member States of the European Union: 1) Portugal, 2) Sweden
• United Kingdom
• Third Countries: Serbia
According to the Relevant Decree only certain categories of citizens who have the right to enter the Republic are allowed to enter the Republic and have the ability to choose to undergo a diagnostic test for COVID-19 disease upon arrival in Cyprus or to have with them an RT-PCR Covid-19 certificate with a negative result at least 72 hours before departure.
It is noted that these individuals should remain in self-quarantine for 14 days. Relevant health instructions can be found by following the link: https://www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus/info.html.
It is emphasized that all passengers, regardless of country category, are required to apply for the CyprusFlightPass (https://cyprusflightpass.gov.cy/) within 24 hours before the departure of their flight. In addition, for the purposes of ensuring Public Health and surveillance of the epidemiological picture, a COVID-19 sample molecular laboratory test will be performed on passengers of selected arriving flights.
It is noted that the above categorization of countries will take effect on July 16.
The full text of the Ministry of Health Announcement can be found Here in Greek.