The Ministry of Health has issued FAQs in Greek here which we have translated (unofficial translation) for your information as follows:
(decisions of the Council of Ministers 5 May 2021)
- MOVEMENT:
- During what hours does the travel ban apply?
The travel ban is valid from 11 pm until 5 am the next day.
- For what reasons is it allowed to move during curfew hours (11 pm to 5 am the next day)?
The movement of persons during curfews continues to be allowed for the following reasons:
- for work purposes to and from the workplaces with the presentation of Form A, completed and signed by the employer and which certifies the need to travel during the above hours.
- for urgent purposes, i.e. for going to a medical center or hospital or pharmacy or veterinarian for medical emergencies and for going to provide emergency care to people who are unable to self-care or who have to self-protect.
- How many times per day will exceptional travel be allowed?
The text messaging application at 8998 for exceptional travel is abolished from May 10 and there is no limit to the number of movements allowed per person per day.
A necessary condition for going to specific places is the presentation of one of the following:
- Vaccination certificate with at least one dose and after 3 weeks have elapsed, or
- Evidence that a person has been ill with COVID-19 within the last 6 months. It is understood that a case of coronavirus is considered to be a person who was detected positive for the virus in a molecular test or rapid antigen test and was reported by the clinical laboratory or rapid test sampling unit or pharmacy, tracked and released based on Ministry of Health procedures.
- If one of the above does not apply, and as a temporary solution until the vaccination coverage goes further, the citizens aged 12 and over are given the option to present a certificate of a negative test, PCR, or rapid test, valid for 72 hours. For example, if the test took place on Sunday at 10 am it would be valid until Tuesday at midnight.
- In which places is it necessary to present evidence?
The presentation of evidence must be presented in the following places:
- Dining areas (restaurants, cafes, bars, snack bars, etc.)
- Places of religious worship
- Outdoor and indoor theaters, cinemas, and performing arts halls
- Shopping malls and retail stores
- Social events such as weddings, baptisms, and funerals
- Gyms, dance schools, and other sports schools, for those who work out indoors
- Nursing homes, Elderly-Care homes, accommodation facilities for the chronically ill, and other closed structures
- Hotels and tourist accommodation
- Pre-election rallies in theaters/amphitheaters, restaurants, homes
- Conferences, trade fairs
- Casino
- Only for the match of the final Cup on May 15 by the fans who will attend the match live at the stadium.
- In which places is the presentation of evidence not required?
The presentation of evidence is not mandatory for going to the following places:
- Hairdressers, beauty salons
- Gambling and betting companies
- Public markets, supermarkets, bakeries, butchers, fishmongers, fruit shops, mini-markets, kiosks, pharmacies
- Beaches
- Outdoor excursions, dams, and zoos.
- In what form should the evidence be presented?
The evidence for a negative result from a coronavirus test (PCR or rapid test) is presented in the first phase in printed form, as given to the collaborating private clinical laboratories or the mobile sampling units of the Ministry of Health in original form. If this is proof of vaccination, the Vaccination Card issued to the Vaccination Centers is presented. In cases of people who have been ill with COVID-19 within the last 6 months, the written release message sent to the citizens is presented.
- Who is responsible for verifying possession of evidence?
The responsibility for the control of possession of evidence lies only with the Officers of the Police or of the competent Ministries / Departments depending on the companies that fall within their areas of responsibility. The managers of the companies/premises are not responsible for the control of the evidence and the citizens are not obliged to present the evidence in their possession to unauthorized persons.
- SOCIAL GATHERINGS / EVENTS:
- In which places are gatherings allowed?
Gatherings are allowed in public areas, such as parks, squares, dams, picnic areas, beaches, sidewalks, marinas, zoos, etc., provided that they do not exceed 10 people per group, including minors.
Proof is not required.
- Are gatherings allowed in homes?
Home gatherings are allowed with a maximum of 10 people, including minors.
- Are meals/dinners allowed for weddings and christenings?
Until May 16, lunches/dinners and any other events for weddings and christenings with a maximum of 10 persons, including minors, are allowed.
From 17 May 2021, lunches/dinners are allowed to be held ONLY outdoors in organized restaurants, event halls, and hotels, provided that attendees are seated and with a maximum attendance of 200 people. Cocktails are prohibited.
From 1 June 2021, lunches/dinners are allowed to be held indoors in organized restaurants, event halls, and hotels, according to the agreed schedule.
A prerequisite is the presentation of evidence as described in question 3.
- Are pre-election rallies allowed in the run-up to the parliamentary elections?
Pre-election rallies are allowed as long as the occupancy restriction where the event will take place is observed and the attendees will be seated. Cocktails are prohibited. For example:
- In open theater/amphitheater up to 50% of full capacity,
- In a closed theater/amphitheater up to 30% of full capacity,
- In clubs/restaurants with outdoor sitting arrangements and
- In houses with a maximum number of 10 people including permanent residents.
A prerequisite is the presentation of evidence as described in question 3.
- RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
- Are church services and other forms of religious worship allowed?
- From the 10th to the 16th of May, the ecclesiastical and other forms of religious worship in places of religious worship are held with a maximum number of 50 people.
- From May 17, the presence of believers is allowed with a maximum physical presence of 30% of the capacity of the place of religious worship.
- From June 1, the presence of believers is allowed with a maximum physical presence of 50% of the capacity of the place of religious worship.
A necessary condition for the physical presence of believers in places of religious worship is the presentation of evidence as described in question 3.
- Are religious ceremonies (weddings, baptisms, funerals) allowed?
Religious ceremonies (baptisms, weddings, funerals) are allowed until May 16 with a maximum number of 10 people.
As of May 17, the maximum number of people at weddings, baptisms, and funerals within the places of religious worship is set at 30% of the full capacity of the place.
A prerequisite is the presentation of evidence as described in question 3.
- BUSINESS REOPENING:
- Are catering businesses allowed to operate?
It is allowed to operate all the outdoor areas of the following categories of restaurants, based on the relevant protocol:
- restaurants,
- taverns,
- cafes,
- breweries,
- snack bars and pubs,
- cafes
- dining areas within shopping malls, canteens and/or sports clubs, cultural clubs, clubs, associations, etc.
From the 1st of June, the reopening of the indoor areas of the catering businesses is allowed, based on the health protocol.
A prerequisite is the presentation of evidence as described in question 3.
- Is the operation of retail centers and department stores allowed?
The operation of shopping malls and retail stores is allowed.
At the same time, the operation of the rest of the retail trade is allowed, including the department stores, and the large stores, observing the measure of 1 person to 10 sq.m. of usable space.
A prerequisite is the presentation of evidence as described in question 3.
- Do hairdressers and beauty salons reopen?
Yes, hairdressers and beauty salons are allowed to operate based on the health protocol.
Proof is not required.
- Are gyms, dance schools, and other sports schools allowed to operate?
Yes, the above sites are reopening based on those conditions that were valid until April 25.
The prerequisite is the presentation of evidence as described in question 3, for indoor training.
- How do gambling and betting companies operate?
The operation of gambling and betting companies is allowed in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the National Betting Authority and under the conditions that the measure of 1 person per 10 sq.m. is observed, without sitting indoors. Outdoor seating is allowed.
Proof is not required.
- How will the casinos reopen?
Until May 16, the operation of the casinos is suspended.
From May 17, the casinos are allowed to operate up to 30% of their full capacity and based on the health protocol.
From June 1, the occupancy rate increases to 50% of full capacity.
A prerequisite is the presentation of evidence as described in question 3.
- Is access to swimming pools allowed for sports purposes?
Yes, the operation of swimming pools for sports purposes is allowed based on the health protocol and the guidelines of the Cyprus Sports Organization.
- Is access to the beaches allowed?
Yes, access to the basis of the protocol implemented in the summer of 2020 is allowed.
Proof is not required.
- Are playgrounds, amusement parks, and theme parks allowed to operate?
The operation of playgrounds, amusement parks, and theme parks remains suspended until May 16, 2021.
From 17 May 2021, the operation of playgrounds, amusement parks, and theme parks is allowed on the basis of protocol and only outdoor areas, without holding social events.
A prerequisite is the presentation of evidence as described in question 3.
- Are conferences and trade fairs allowed?
Conferences and trade fairs are not allowed until May 16.
From 17 May 2021, the above is allowed to take place, provided that the measure of 30% occupancy of the indoor area of the conference is observed, with a cocktail ban.
From June 1, 2021 the occupancy amounts to 50% of the occupancy.
A prerequisite is the presentation of evidence as described in question 3.
- Is the operation of camping sites allowed?
No, the operation of camping sites is not allowed.
- Are permanent residents of the Republic allowed to stay in hotels and tourist accommodation?
From 10 May, permanent residents of the Republic will be allowed to stay in hotels and tourist accommodation, provided that proof is provided as described in question 3.
- CULTURE:
- Which branches of culture can function?
Until May 16, open-air and indoor theaters, amphitheaters, cinemas, and performing arts and theater halls with a maximum number of 50 people are allowed to operate.
From 17 May 2021, the operation of indoor theaters, amphitheaters, cinemas, and performing arts and spectacle halls with an occupancy of up to 30% of full capacity is allowed. Outside operation is allowed up to 50% of capacity.
From 1 June, occupancy in both indoor and outdoor areas is set at 50% of full capacity and in compliance with sanitary protocols.
A prerequisite is the presentation of evidence as described in question 3.
- EDUCATION / SPORTS AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN:
- How will the reopening take place with the physical presence of the students of the school units?
All levels of education resume from May 10 with the physical presence of students. Both the staff of all school units and the students of the Gymnasiums, Lyceums, and Technical Schools, are subject to a mandatory weekly rapid test. Students in the second cycle of Primary Schools voluntarily undergo a weekly rapid test.
Students of Gymnasiums, Lyceums, and Technical Schools and the staff of school units of all levels must be tested before their return on May 10 and present a negative result with a validity of 72 hours.
- How do group tutoring and sports and social activities work for children aged 18 and under?
All group tutorials are allowed, as well as sports and social activities for children under the age of 18 based on the protocol that was valid until April 25, i.e. with a maximum number of 7 persons, including the instructor (6 + 1).
For extracurricular indoor activities with a test within the last 72-hour while in open areas the obligation remains the same, i.e. a mandatory test every week.
We will circulate the official document in English once issued.