PD – Meeting with the epidemiological team for the coronavirus Presidential Palace, Nicosia, Cyprus The President of the Republic Mr. Nikos Anastasiadis chairs a meeting with the epidemiological advisory group for the coronavirus. // PoR – Meeting with the epidemiological group on COVID-19 Presidential Palace, Lefkosia, Cyprus The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, presides over a meeting with the epidemiological advisory group on COVID-19.
Cyprus enters the second phase of the gradual lifting of the restrictive measures from Monday, February 8th.
Specifically, from Monday, the reopening of public and private primary schools and the 3rd Class of Lyceums and Technical Schools, the reopening of retail businesses, including department stores and shopping malls, the reopening of museums and other archeological sites, will be implemented in addition. gambling agencies, for the purposes of completing the ticket only, without the use of table seats.
The reopening of retail and shopping malls will be accompanied by strict controls to ensure public health. To go, citizens must send the number 2 to 8998.
From Monday, the Divine Liturgy in the places of religious worship will be performed with the presence of believers with a maximum number of persons up to 50 people, observing the health protocols and the number of people for home visits increases to four (4) people.
Sport restart
In addition, in the context of the strategy for the gradual lifting of restrictive measures, the Council of Ministers decided on the gradual and phased restart of the sports sector.
Following a joint proposal of the Ministers of Health and Finance, after consultation with the Cyprus Sports Organization and with the approval of the inter-ministerial Steering Committee, within the first phase of the plan, individual training of all sports in open outdoor sports facilities is allowed from tomorrow. parks, line parks and beaches, with a maximum of 5 athletes, regardless of age, including coach / trainer (4 athletes + 1 coach / trainer).
It is understood that physical contact between the athletes is not allowed and the training is done only for the purpose of fitness / fitness.
All outdoor sports facilities are allowed to train with a maximum of 5 people including the coach, except for football pitches where up to 3 separate teams with a maximum of 5 people per team are allowed to train. The members of each group must be stable.
After consultation with the KOP, in relation to the reopening of the KOP championships, it was decided as for the Division B championship, group training is allowed from tomorrow and from February 13 the resumption of the Division B championship, without spectators, while for the other Categories of the KOP championships, from tomorrow the individual training is allowed without physical contact and for training / fitness purposes in groups of 5, including the coach / trainer. On the football fields, 3 separate fixed teams of 5 people (including the coach) can train at the same time.
The above settings apply equally to the other team leagues. In the open air facilities of the other sports the training is done in a fixed team of 5 people, including the coach.
All affected employees as well as athletes over the age of 12 should undergo a rapid antigen test through the free program of the Ministry of Health or privately until tomorrow. Then, 50% of sports workers and athletes over the age of 12 must undergo a weekly rapid antigen test.
Individuals, regardless of age, who wish to travel for individual training in the places mentioned above, must send an SMS to 8998, by selecting the number 6. For minors who do not have a mobile phone, it must be presented by the parent / legal guardian signed certificate for the transfer of the child to the sports / training area. Coaches / trainers must bring Form A (Employee Transfer Certificate) signed by their employer.
The responsibility of supervising the observance of the measures and the compliance of the protocols and Decrees will be taken over by the KOP in terms of football and for all other sports the KOA, in cooperation with the Federations. In addition, and to further strengthen the controls, the Ministry of Health will conduct sample inspections.
Reopening of closed theaters and cinemas
Moreover, evaluating the epidemiological data, in the context of the strategy for the gradual lifting of the restrictive measures, the Council of Ministers decided to reopen the closed theaters and cinemas from tomorrow with a maximum number of 50 spectators.
Citizens wishing to go to theaters and cinemas must send an SMS to 8998, by selecting the number 9.
Perform rapid test
According to the Ministry of Health, employees working in companies / professions that are reactivated from tomorrow will have to undergo a rapid antigen test until today, before returning to their workplace.
In this context, the pan-Cypriot program of free control with rapid antigen test of the Ministry of Health is underway, which aims to ensure the safe and smooth reopening of businesses.
Self-restraint for 72 hours and laboratory testing 72 hours after arrival for all arrivals in the Republic
In the meantime, the mandatory self-limitation of 72 hours and the PCR laboratory test 72 hours after the arrival of all passengers arriving from Category A and B countries came into force from yesterday Saturday, thus strengthening the measures applied at the Airports of the Republic by their reopening in the summer of 2020.
This decision is in addition to the other measures in force for arrivals depending on the country of origin. Therefore, the obligation of passengers from Category B countries to present a negative result of PCR examination 72 hours before departure, while the sampling laboratory tests at Larnaca and Paphos Airports continue. All passengers, regardless of country of departure, must complete the Cyprus Flight Pass.
The cost for the laboratory examination (PCR) 72 hours after arrival is borne by the citizen.
From 21 December 2020, Cyprus implements additional measures for passengers from the United Kingdom, adopting the policy of mandatory restriction for a period of 7 days in hotels of the Republic and the laboratory examination on arrival and on the 7th day after arrival. Through this practice, as of 21 December 2020, more than 15,000 passengers from the United Kingdom were examined and 133 cases were identified (positive rate: 0.9%).
What did the first phase of relaxation include?
In addition, the first phase of the phasing out of the restrictive measures, which entered into force on 1 February, included the reopening of barbershops, hairdressers, beauty salons, an increase from 25% to 50% of the percentage of staff who may have a physical presence in private service companies, without a minimum and maximum number of persons and the presence of up to two persons in a house was allowed, in addition to the persons permanently residing in it.
A relevant decree on what will be implemented from tomorrow was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic on December 5.
