The Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, pursuant to paragraph 2.2 (n) of the Infectious Diseases (Definition of Measures to Prevent the Spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19) Decree (No. 16) of 2021, issues the following guidelines:
1. Public Passenger Transport
1.1. The maximum number of passengers that can carry Public Transport - M.D.M. (Regular Passenger Buses with fare per passenger) in all provinces of Cyprus, is defined as 50% of the capacity of each bus, with the exception of buses for which a special permit is granted by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, which determines greater capacity, in accordance with paragraph 2 of this notice.
1.2. The maximum number of passengers that can carry E-Licensed Buses, Buses used for shuttle services to and from airports (shuttle), as well as private buses with road license, in all provinces of Cyprus, is set at 50 % of the capacity of each bus, unless the following is observed, in which case the maximum number of passengers that can be transported by these Buses is set at 100% of the capacity of each bus, subject to paragraph 2 of this notice:
(a) for persons 18 years of age and older, there is either a negative laboratory test or a rapid antigen detection test for the disease; COVID-19 by sampling within 72 hours, or a vaccination certificate for the disease COVID-19 at least one dose and provided that three weeks have elapsed since the date of vaccination, or evidence of release in the case of persons who have contracted the disease; COVID-19 and provided that no more than six months have elapsed from the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis or the Cyprus Flight Pass as set forth in paragraph 2.18 (a) of the relevant Decree (No. 16) of 2021),
And (b) for persons aged 12 to 17 years there is a certificate of negative diagnostic test for rapid antigen detection on a weekly basis:
It is understood that for persons under 12 years of age the above is not required,
1.3. The maximum number of passengers that can carry buses carrying only students, to and from their educational institutions (public and private), in all the provinces of Cyprus is set at 100% of the capacity of each bus in accordance with paragraph 2.2. p) the relevant Decree ((No. 16) of 2021) and paragraph 2 of this announcement.
1.4. The maximum number of Passengers that can carry buses with a Road Use License for a large family is set at 100% of the capacity of each bus.
1.5. The maximum number of passengers that taxis can carry is 100% of the amount specified in the Road License of the taxi, with the exception of the front seat next to the taxi driver.
2. Private Passenger Transport
2.1. Private vehicles can be driven by members of the same family (household), including minor children of the family, depending on the capacity of the vehicle, without the use of a mask.
2.2. Private vehicles can be ridden by people from different households, depending on the capacity of the vehicle, with the use of a mask necessary.
2.3. For travel by private vehicles (ie not "public", such as buses and taxis), in the case of travel for work purposes, in addition to the use of a mask which is mandatory, the following are recommended:
2.3.1. Mass commuting with the same vehicle of persons not living in the same house should, where practicable and feasible, be avoided.
2.3.2. The above applies either if the vehicle belongs to the company / employer and is used by employees moving to and from work or from the company base to their work and vice versa, or if the vehicle belongs to one of the employees and moves with it his colleagues for the same purpose.
2.3.3. The company / employer:
(j) should organize, where possible, a different way of moving staff for the above purposes, in order to avoid joint movement (eg use of other company vehicles where they exist, etc.);
(ii) develop a contingency management system;
(iii) to continuously inform the employees about the Instructions issued by the Ministry of Health,
(l) issue instructions to employees on the measures to be taken by them in connection with the COVID - 19 epidemic;
(vi) issue instructions to its staff on their obligations arising in the event of symptoms of the COVID - 19 epidemic.
2.3.4. In general, for vehicles used for commuting purposes for work by persons from different households, it is recommended that appropriate measures be taken, such as:
(j) daily and frequent disinfection of handles, handles, metal surfaces on seats, seat belts, etc .;
(ii) general cleaning after the end of each day,
(iii) placing an approved liquid antiseptic in each vehicle, for use by the driver and passengers;
(l) air conditioning systems remain closed;
(vii) the windows of the vehicle remain open during the journey.
3. Additional instructions for Public Passenger Transport
3.1. Where a bus does not have a driver's cab and a protective membrane separating it from the entrance of passengers, the seats behind the driver as well as the first seat on the left (driver's seat - where there is one) must remain empty.
3.2. All necessary measures are taken to avoid overcrowding during boarding and disembarking.
3.3. There must be a liquid hand sanitizer at the entrance of each bus for use by all passengers.
3.4. Buses must be cleaned and disinfected frequently, definitely before the start of the service and during the day. Cleaning / disinfection should be done at least every four routes and, where possible, cleaning / disinfection should be done at the end of each route. Cleaning / disinfection should be done carefully, especially on surfaces that are often touched such as handles, handles, metal surfaces, seat belts, rails, etc., using disinfectants and materials recommended by the Ministry of Health.
3.5. At each bus stop, at the end of each route and at each break, the bus doors remain open, as well as windows and skylights if any.
3.6. The buses referred to in paragraph 1.2 of this notice must, in addition to the general guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting the buses mentioned above, be disinfected before and after the transfer of students.
3.7. It is recommended that students sit in a predetermined position daily, where possible.
3.8. It is also recommended that students who belong to the same department or are siblings sit next to each other.
3.9. The buses do not use air conditioning systems with air recycling and use windows and skylights (open) where they exist.
3.10. The use of a face mask by employees and passengers on all regular passenger buses with a fare per passenger, as well as on all means of public transport (taxis, tour buses, shuttle services to and from airports (shuttle)) age, continues to be mandatory in all provinces.
4. The above measures are implemented from their publication on the official website of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works.