New measures come into force today (10/1) in Cyprus.
The measures decided on January 5 by the Council of Ministers, among others, affect restaurants, nightclubs, weddings and baptisms, while teleworking is increased to 50%.
Details of the new measures in force from today:
Back to school with a test - 2 tests per week for primary school students
All students, teachers and other staff, upon their return, must submit a negative Rapid test lasting 48 hours.
Primary school students in private and public schools should have a negative Rapid test twice a week. The Ministry of Health's mobile units will continue to visit schools to conduct the Rapid test, to better serve students.
It is recalled that, in secondary education, students submit a negative Rapid test valid for 72 hours.
It is reminded that the students who have completed their vaccination program (two installments) or hold a 180-day sickness certificate are exempt from the above obligation.
The number of people in restaurants, nightclubs, weddings, baptisms is decreasing
From January 10, 2022, a maximum of 200 people is set for restaurants, nightclubs, music and dance centers, weddings and baptisms, in accordance with health protocols and the maximum number of people per square meter in force. Compulsory service exclusively on table seats. The maximum number of people per table is set at 8 people. It is reminded that dancing is prohibited in the above areas.
At 50% teleworking
From January 10, 2022, the teleworking rate increases to 50% of the staff of each company or organization in the service sector as well as for the public and wider public sector.
It is clarified that this percentage includes people who due to illness or declaration as close contact with a confirmed case are self-restricted and work from home and people who have used their rest leave.
Businesses that employ up to 10 people are excluded from the teleworking measure.
Essential services are excluded * where the respective Supervisor regulates the remote work, according to the needs of the Service.
Employees who have completed their vaccination program against it Covid-19 with two doses for dual-dose vaccines and one dose for single-dose vaccine, or hold a disease certificate (valid for 180 days) are required to submit a negative test for rapid antigen detection Rapid test valid for 7 days. The test is performed by presenting a text message or presenting the result in printed form.
Employees who received the booster / 3rd dose of vaccine in the case of dual-dose vaccines or the 2nd dose in case of single-dose vaccine are excluded.
Workers (18+) who have not received any vaccine dose are required to submit a 72-hour negative PCR test or a 48-hour Rapid test. The control is done through the CovScan Cyprus application.
For vaccinated persons or persons who have been ill with COVID-19 or people who are excluded from the vaccination for medical reasons, the Rapid test is provided free of charge at the sampling points. This also applies to people who have received at least one dose of the vaccine and have not had the period required to take the second dose.
It is clarified that, if a transmission chain is recorded in a workplace, all employees without exception will be subjected to Rapid antigen detection test.
Only vaccinated in hotels
From 10 January 2022, accommodation and visits to hotels / tourist accommodation will only be allowed to persons who have completed their vaccination program or who have started their vaccination program and the time period required to receive the 2nd or expired of the 3rd dose of vaccine
Admission is allowed to persons who have received at least one dose of the vaccine, provided that the time period required for the second dose has not elapsed. Until the time period for receiving the 2nd dose or in the case of a single-dose vaccine is 2 days, citizens are required to submit a negative Rapid test which is provided free of charge.
* What are the essential services
The following are defined as Essential Services:
(1) the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Insurance, including its Departments / Services,
(2) the Ministry of Health, including its Directorates / Departments and Services, as well as the State Health Services Organization and the Health Insurance Organization and their Directorates and / or Services,
(3) the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, including its Departments / Directorates,
(4) the Ministry of Finance, including its Directorates-General / Departments / Services,
(5) the Ministry of Interior, including its Directorates / Departments / Services,
(6) the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry, including its Directorates / Departments / Services,
(7) the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, including its Directorates / Departments / Services,
(8) the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, including its Directorates / Departments / Services,
(9) the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, including its Directorates / Departments and Services,
(10) the Ministry of Defense,
(11) the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including its Directorates / Departments,
(12) the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, including its Departments / Services,
(13) the Ministry of Shipping,
(14) the Ministry of Tourism,
(15) the Ministry of Social Welfare
(16) the House of Representatives,
(17) the Courts and the Registries (including their employees),
(18) the Legal Service,
(19) the Health Services of the Authorities of the Local Self-Government and of the public and wider public sector, (20) the Cyprus Information Service,
(21) the Police, the Fire Brigade and the Prison Department,
(22) the National Guard,
(23) the General Accounting Office,
(24) private and public hospitals, clinics, medical and diagnostic centers,
(25) the essential services of airports and airlines,
(26) the Telecommunication Companies and Radio Cyprus,
(27) the Cyprus Electricity Authority,
(28) Water Supply Boards, Desalination Stations,
(29) the Cyprus Transmission System Operator,
(30) the Financial Markets and Payments Infrastructure Department, the Currency Management Department, the Informatics Department, the General Administrative Services Department, the Accounting and Auditing Services Department and the Supervision - Crisis Group, Central Bank of Cyprus,
(31) the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority,
(32) the Cyprus Sports Organization,
(33) the Presidency of the Republic,
(34) the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers,
(35) the Ports Authority, Ports and Services within Ports,
(36) the Digital Security Authority,
(37) the Sewerage Boards,
(38) the Public Service Committee,
(39) the Education Service Committee,
In addition to the above, for the purposes of this Decree, the following are defined as Essential Services: Banking, Insurance, Credit, Shipping, Lawyers, Law Firms and Law Firms, Mass Media, necessary for its supervision and management