New categorization of countries - Greece in the "red" category

See in detail the categorization of countries

E54FC68D 7311 46D3 9E94 547E7D12E113 Airports, Country categorization

After decision of 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 various countries regarding the disease COVID-19.

Classification for the countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) including Switzerland in the Categories Green, Orange ή Red, relies on that of European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

For third countries (United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Belarus) as well as those included in updated listof the Recommendation of the European Council (EU) 2021/89, on the phasing out of temporary restrictions on unnecessary travel to the EU, these are assessed epidemiologically by the Ministry of Health and are classified into Green, Orange, Red and Gray Categories.

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 Category Countries (Green) - Low risk countries at this stage

  • Member States of the European Union: 1) Iceland
  • Third countries: 1) Australia, 2) New Zealand, 3) Singapore, 4) Saudi Arabia

It is noted that for passengers coming from Green Class countries is not required to present a laboratory test certificate Covid-19, but neither is self-restraint.

It is clarified that for period 1-31 March 2021, all passengers from Green Class countries will undergo a laboratory test upon arrival in Cyprus PCR, the cost of which will be covered by the Republic of Cyprus. From 1η April 2021, there will be no restrictions.

Orange Category Countries (Orange) - Countries with potentially low risk but with more doubt compared to the Green Category

  • Member States of the European Union: 1) Denmark, 2) Finland
  • Schengen Area Members: 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 laboratory testing PCRwithin 72 hours before their departure and have a certificate proving a negative test PCR for the virus.

It is also clarified that passengers from Orange Category countries falling into the following categories may carry out the molecular examination upon arrival in the Republic:

  1. Cypriot citizens and members of their families (their foreign spouses, and their minor children),
  2. Legal persons residing in the Republic,
  3. Persons entitled to enter the Republic in accordance with the Vienna Convention, and
  4. Individuals 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 examination is covered by them and in addition these individuals should stay inhouse arrest until the result is issued.

Red Countries Countries at increased 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) The Netherlands, 13) Hungary, 14) Poland, 15) Portugal, 16) Slovakia, 17) Slovenia, 18) Czech Republic, 19) Estonia, 20) Latvia, 21) Lithuania, 22) Sweden, 23) Germany, 24) Greece
  • Small states: 1) Andorra, 2) Monaco, 3) Vatican City, 4) San Marino
  • Schengen Area Members: 1) Switzerland, 2) Liechtenstein

It is noted that passengers coming from the Red Category countries, required: a) to have undergone a laboratory test within 72 hours before departure and to have a certificate proving a negative test PCR for the virus and b) to carry out a 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 individuals should remain under house arrest 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:

  1. Cypriot citizens and their family members (their foreign spouses and their minor children),
  2. The persons legally residing in the Republic, and
  3. Persons entitled to enter the Republic under the Vienna Convention.

In such a case, the individuals listed in points 1-3 above remain at mandatory self-restraint regime for 72 hours after their arrival and after 72 hours they are subjected to molecular examination again (PCR), at own expense. If the result of the re-examination is negative, they are released from self-restraint. The test result 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 Gray Countries (Special Permission), entry into the Republic of Cyprus allowed only in the following categories of passengers:

  1. Cypriot citizens and their family members (their foreign spouses and their minor children),
  2. European citizens, citizens of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland,
  3. Legal persons residing in the Republic,
  4. Persons entitled to enter the Republic in accordance with the Vienna Convention, and
  5. Third-country nationals, who are entitled to enter the Republic of Cyprus, after a special permit from the Republic of Cyprus as determined by the Deinfection Program COVID-19) Decree (No. 9) of 2021, as in each case this is modified.

It is noted that passengers coming from countries in this Category must have undergone a laboratory test by a recognized laboratory, with the sampling having taken place during the last 72 hours before their trip to the Republic of Cyprus and have a certificate proving a negative PCR for COVID-19. With the exception of category 2, other persons may, if they so wish, carry out the laboratory test on arrival. in the Republic of Cyprus by paying the cost of the laboratory examination themselves.

Passengers arriving in the Republic of Cyprus from Gray Category (Special Permission) remain in the status compulsory self-restraint or compulsory isolation (quarantine) of fourteen (14) days or alternatively in regime of compulsory self-restraint or compulsory isolation (quarantine) of ten (10) days provided that re-molecular test for the disease COVID-19 (at own expense) on 10η day and have a negative laboratory result. The result of the laboratory test will be sent to the e-mail address monada@mphs.moh.gov.cy.

According to the Deinfection Decree (No. 9), dated 26 February 2021, up to 31η March 2021 at 23.59 p.m., for people arriving from United Kingdomundergo a laboratory test upon arrival at Larnaca and Paphos Airports, and are transported at state expense to hotels in the Republic for mandatory limitation of 7 days. On the 7thη day of their arrival undergo a laboratory test again at the expense of the Republic and in case of a negative result continue home self-limitation for a period of 3 additional days(total days of compulsory isolation: 10 days).

It is emphasized that όAll passengers, regardless of country category, are required to apply for Cyprus Flight Pass 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 sampling laboratory molecular test will be performed. COVID-19 to passengers of selected flights to arrive.

It is noted that the above categorization of countries will take effect from 1η March 2021.