A commitment that those tourists who are diagnosed positive for coronavirus in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus will be taken care of by the Cypriot government for their treatment and accommodation, bearing all the costs of their own and their close contacts, is included in the protocol for opening the destination, which has been promoted. to all tour operators, airlines and other interested parties abroad.
The protocol, which includes all the changes that take effect from March 1st regarding the categorization of countries, as well as other details for travel to Cyprus, is another step to restart the local tourism industry. Together with the various agreements of Cyprus – as with Israel – but also its decisions – see United Kingdom – for facilities for visitors and tourists who have been vaccinated with vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency, are composing the country's “arsenal” to boost bookings to the island next summer, with the aim of restoring the tourist flow.
The costs are ours
As last year, in the relevant protocol, which was notified abroad, there is a commitment of the Republic of Cyprus that it will bear all the expenses for those who fall ill in its territory with covid-19, as well as their close contacts. Our country is committed, in particular, to all travelers who will prove to be positive during their stay in Cyprus, a category which obviously includes those who prove to be positive in the tests that will be done at airports, that it will transport them to separate places, covering the cost their accommodation, cost of food, drink and medication.
Travelers themselves will only have to pay for their return if they need to change flights, in cooperation with the ticket company or their travel agent. The use of a separate facility will not only ensure proper patient care, but will reassure other travelers that they are not at risk of developing COVID-19 in their accommodation.
In the meantime, if a residence is found to be hosting a person who is positive for coronavirus, he or she will not be ordered to be quarantined for 14 days, according to the protocol.
The government also informs, in order to prevent or even reassure them, that there is a hospital available for covid-19 exclusively for travelers who will test positive for the coronavirus with a sufficient number of beds, which can be increased further, with short notice, if necessary. It also states that if travelers experience critical symptoms, a significant number of intensive care units and respirators are available to treat them.
In addition, 300 rooms in hotels designated as quarantine hotels are at the disposal of close contacts of persons who will prove positive in the coronavirus, while this number can be increased again in a very short time if needed.
With the protocol, travelers are also informed that upon arrival there will be a thermometer, as well as a series of measures that continue to apply in Cyprus to ensure public health. Such as, among others, the obligation to use a protective mask indoors, but also in open public spaces (eg vehicles, taxis, buses, theaters, shopping malls, etc.). However, it is clarified that the use of the mask is excluded in places where food and drinks are consumed, but also on beaches, swimming pools and other cases of exercise, while travelers are asked to be informed about the issue and other health protocols electronically from its official websites. Democracy, as they are subject to frequent changes.
The tests and their cost
Under the protocol, the Republic of Cyprus will continue its sample checks and tests at its airports. In such a case, the cost of the tests is borne by the Republic. Children arriving in Cyprus, under 12 years old, are excluded from the tests.
All passengers arriving in Cyprus, regardless of country category, are required to apply for the Cyprus Flight Pass, within 24 hours before the departure of their flight.
Passengers coming from countries belonging to the green category, in addition to the above obligation, have no other way to be allowed to enter the Republic.
However, tourists coming from countries in the orange category must have a PCR laboratory test within 72 hours of departure and have a certificate showing a negative PCR test for the virus. Children under 12 are excluded. Cypriots and permanent residents of Cyprus from orange countries, arriving in Cyprus, will be able to take the test at the airports at their own expense.
Tourists coming from countries in the red category must have a PCR laboratory test within 72 hours prior to departure and have a certificate showing a negative PCR test for the virus and, in addition, will be required to undergo a PCR test. laboratory test upon arrival in the Republic of Cyprus.
The cost of PCR exams at airports will be covered by the travelers themselves and according to the protocol amounts to 30 euros at Larnaca airport and 32 euros at Paphos airport. The test results will be available within three hours and will be sent by text message to the traveler, who will not need to stay at the airport. Children who have not turned 12 upon arrival in Cyprus are excluded from the tests.
Cypriots and legal residents of Cyprus coming from countries belonging to the red category will only be able to take the test at airports without prior PCR prior to arrival, but will have to stay in self-limitation for 72 hours and repeat molecular testing after end it again at their own expense.
Country classification for Covid-19
The categories – green, orange, red – that exclude quarantine will include all EU countries, the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) including Switzerland and a number of third countries that are of tourist, economic and diplomatic interest to Cyprus such as United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Belarus.
The evaluation and ranking of third countries will be done in the categories green, orange or red according to the criteria of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). In the third countries, in addition to the United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Belarus, will be added, from 1 April 2021, the following: Serbia, Qatar, Bahrain United States of America, Armenia and Georgia. All of the above countries are guaranteed to belong to one of the categories green, orange and red – which exclude quarantine. The other countries, which will not belong to one of the above three categories, will be included in the gray category, for which, in addition to the two laboratory tests and the special permit required to enter the Republic, the quarantine measure will be applied.
