Following a decision HERE the Council of Ministers, dated 18 February 2021, regarding the Action Plan for the gradual resumption of flights and the reopening of airports, the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit of the Ministry of Health re-evaluated the epidemiological picture of the 19 different countries.
The classification for the countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) including Switzerland in the Green, Orange or Red Categories is based on that of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) HERE.
With regard to third countries (United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Belarus) as well as those included in the updated list of European Council Recommendation here (EU) 2021/89, for the phasing out of temporary restrictions on unnecessary travel to the EU, they are epidemiologically assessed by the Ministry of Health and classified into Green, Orange, Red and Gray.
The following categorization of countries, based on epidemiological risk assessment, is extremely dynamic and can be differentiated 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.
GREEN COUNTRIES – LOW RISK COUNTRIES AT THIS STAGE
- Members of the Schengen Area: 1) Iceland
- Third Countries: 1) Australia, 2) New Zealand, 3) Singapore, 4) Saudi Arabia
It is noted that for passengers coming from Green Category countries, the presentation of a COVID-19 laboratory test certificate is not required, nor is it self-isolation.
It is clarified that for the period 1-31 March 2021, all passengers from Green Category countries will undergo a PCR laboratory test upon arrival in Cyprus, the cost of which will be covered by the Republic of Cyprus. From April 1, 2021, there will be no restrictions.
ORANGE CATEGORY COUNTRIES – COUNTRIES WITH POTENTIALLY LOW RISK BUT WITH MORE DOUBT COMPARED TO THE GREEN CATEGORY
- Member States of the European Union: 1) Denmark, 2) Portugal
- Members of the Schengen Area: 1) Norway
- Third Countries: 1) China (including Hong Kong and Macau), 2) South Korea, 3) Thailand
It is noted that passengers coming from the countries of the orange category are required to have undergone a PCR laboratory test within 72 hours before departure and to have a certificate proving a negative PCR test for the virus.
It is also clarified that passengers from Orange Category countries falling into the following categories may undergo the molecular examination upon arrival in the Republic:
- Cypriot citizens and members of their families (their foreign spouses, and their minor children),
- Legally residing persons in the Republic,
- Persons entitled to enter the Republic under the Vienna Convention, and
- Persons regardless of nationality, where documented and following an announcement by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Cyprus, the Authorities of the country (Orange Category) residing, do not provide laboratory analysis service.
It is noted that the cost of the test is covered by them and in addition these individuals will have to remain under house isolation until the result is issued.
RED COUNTRIES – COUNTRIES AT HIGHER RISK COMPARED TO GREEN AND ORANGE COUNTRIES:
- Member States of the European Union: 1) Austria, 2) Belgium, 3) Bulgaria, 4) France, 5) Ireland, 6) Croatia, 7) Luxembourg, 8) Romania, 9) Spain, 10) Italy, 11) Malta, 12) Netherlands, 13) Hungary, 14) Poland, 15) Finland, 16) Slovakia, 17) Slovenia, 18) Czech Republic, 19) Estonia, 20) Latvia, 21) Lithuania, 22) Sweden, 23) Germany, 24) Hellas
- Small states: 1) Andorra, 2) Monaco, 3) Vatican City, 4) San Marino
- Members of the Schengen Area: 1) Switzerland, 2) Liechtenstein
It is noted that passengers coming from the Red Category countries are required: a) to have a laboratory test within 72 hours before departure and to have a certificate, which proves a negative PCR test for the virus and b) to perform laboratory test upon arrival in the Republic of Cyprus.
It is noted that the cost of the exams is covered by them and in addition these people will have to remain under house isolation until the result is issued.
The following categories may enter the Republic of Cyprus from countries of the Red Class having carried out, at their own expense, a laboratory test only upon arrival in the Republic of Cyprus:
- Cypriot citizens and their family members (their foreign spouses and their minor children),
- The persons legally residing in the Republic, and
- Persons entitled to enter the Republic under the Vienna Convention.
In such a case, the persons referred to in points 1-3 above shall remain in a state of compulsory self-isolation for 72 hours after arrival and after 72 hours shall undergo a molecular examination (PCR) again, at their own expense. If the result of the re-examination is negative, they are released from self-isolation. The result of the examination is sent to the email address monada@mphs.moh.gov.cy.
GRAY CATEGORY COUNTRIES (SPECIAL LICENSE / SPECIALPERMISSION):
- Third Countries: 1) United Kingdom, 2) Israel, 3) Russia, 4) United Arab Emirates, 5) Ukraine, 6) Jordan, 7) Lebanon, 8) Egypt, 9) Belarus, 10) Rwanda
For Grey Category countries (Special Permission), entry into the Republic of Cyprus is allowed only to the following categories of passengers:
For Grey Category countries (Special Permission), entry into the Republic of Cyprus is allowed only to the following categories of passengers:
- Cypriot citizens and members of their families (their foreign spouses and their minor children),
- European citizens, citizens of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland,
- Persons legally residing in the Republic,
- Persons entitled to enter the Republic under the Vienna Convention, and
It is noted that passengers coming from the countries of this Category must have undergone a laboratory test by a recognized laboratory, with the test carried out during the last 72 hours before their trip to the Republic of Cyprus and have a certificate, proving negative PCR for COVID-19. With the exception of category 2, the rest of the persons can, if they wish, carry out the laboratory test upon their arrival in the Republic of Cyprus, paying the cost of the laboratory test themselves.
Passengers arriving in the Republic of Cyprus from Grey Category (Special Permission) remain in a state of compulsory self-isolation or quarantine for fourteen (14) days or alternatively in a state of compulsory self-isolation for 10 days (mandatory quarantine) if they undergo a molecular test again for COVID-19 (at their own expense) on the 10th day and have a negative laboratory result. The result of the laboratory test will be sent to the email address monada@mphs.moh.gov.cy.
According to the Decontamination Decree (No. 9), dated 26 February 2021, until 31 March 2021 at 23.59 pm, persons arriving from the United Kingdom undergo a laboratory test upon arrival at Airports Larnaca and Paphos, and are transported at state expense, to hotels in the Republic for a mandatory period of 7 days. On the 7th day of their arrival, they undergo a laboratory test again at the expense of the Republic and in case of a negative result, they continue to restrict themselves at home for a period of 3 additional days (total days of mandatory isolation: 10 days).
It is emphasized that all passengers, regardless of country category, are required to apply for CyprusFlightPass 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 be valid from March 18, 2021.
The announcement in Greek can be accessed here.