Press Releases

(Decisions by the Council of Ministers 27 May 2021)

Α. Movement:

1. What are the curfew hours?

As of 29 May until 9 June, movement is prohibited from 1 o’clock at night until 5 o’clock in the morning.

As of 10 June, the curfew is lifted.

2. Under which circumstances is one allowed to move during curfew hours (1 at night until 5 in the morning) for the period of 29 May until 9 June?  

The movement of persons during curfew hours is permitted for the following reasons:

• For purposes of moving to and from the workplace with the presentation of Form Α, completed and signed by the employer, which certifies the necessity for the movement during the aforementioned hours.
• For urgent purposes, such as to go to a medical centre or a hospital or a pharmacy or a veterinarian for medical emergencies and to render assistance to people who are unable to care for themselves or who need to self-isolate.

3. What are the accepted requirements for a SafePass?

A prerequisite for going to specific places is the presentation of one of the following forms of evidence:

-       Vaccination certificate with at least one dose and after a period of 3 weeks has passed, or

-       Proof that a person has contracted COVID-19 in the last 6 months, or

-       If one of the above does not apply, and as a temporary solution, citizens aged 12 and over are given the option to present a negative test certificate, from a PCR or a rapid test, valid for 72 hours.

4.    At which places is it necessary to present evidence?

Persons aged 12 and over must have a SafePass and present it in case of a check by authorized Officers, in the following premises/businesses:

-       Indoor spaces of catering establishments (Restaurants, cafes, bars, snack bars, etc.)

-       Places of religious worship

-       In-door theatres, cinemas and performing arts or spectacle halls

-       Shopping centres and department stores

-       Social events such as weddings, christenings and funerals

-       Gyms, dance schools and other sports schools, in accordance with the guidelines by the Cyprus Sports Organisation

-       Senior People’s homes, nursing homes, accommodation facilities for the chronically ill and other enclosed structures,

-       Hotels and tourist accommodations

-       Conferences, trade fairs

-       Casinos

5.    At which places is it not necessary to present evidence?

The presentation of evidence is not mandatory in the following places:

-       Outdoor spaces of catering establishments

-       Hair dressing salons, beauty parlours

-       Banks

-       Departments of the private, public and wider public sector where the public is served      

-       Gambling and betting businesses

-       Farmers’ markets, supermarkets, bakeries, butcheries, fishmongers, fruit markets, minimarkets, kiosks, pharmacies

-       Beaches  

-       Out-door picnic areas, dams and zoos.

6.    Which certificates are accepted as a SafePass?

The SafePass for a negative result of a coronavirus test (PCR or rapid test) is presented in print form, as given at the private clinical laboratories or at the mobile testing units, in its original form, or in the form of a text message that is sent at the phone number of the individuals. In cases of proof of vaccination, the Vaccination Card issued by the Vaccination Centres is presented. In cases of people who have been ill with COVID-19 during the last 6 months, the text message for release sent to the citizens is presented.

7.    Who bares the responsibility for checking for the possession of a SafePass?

The responsibility for checking for the possession of a SafePass lies only with the Officers of the Police or of the competent Ministries/Departments depending on the businesses that fall within the areas of their competence. The managers of the businesses/premises are not responsible for checking the SafePass and citizens are not obliged to present the SafePass in their possession to unauthorized persons.

Β. Social gatherings/events:

8.    In which places are gatherings allowed?

Gatherings are allowed in public areas, such as parks, squares, dams, picnic areas, beaches, pedestrian streets, marinas, zoos, etc.

9.    Are gatherings allowed in homes?

Gatherings in homes are allowed, for a maximum of 20 persons, including minors and permanent residents.

10.   Are lunches/dinners for weddings and baptisms allowed in homes?

Holding lunches/dinners for weddings and baptisms in homes, is allowed, provided that proof of marriage/baptism (e.g. invitation) is submitted, as well as the available square metres of the house, so as to determine the maximum number of attendees, based on the relevant protocol. The information must be sent electronically to healthservices@mphs.moh.gov.cy, for approval.

Provided that approval is granted, the lunch/dinner may take place in a home, by complying with the health protocol for social events.

A prerequisite for the attendees is the presentation of evidence as described in question 3.

11. Under what conditions is it allowed to hold lunches / dinners for social events, in restaurants, event halls and hotels / tourist accommodation?

As of 1 June, and until 9 June, holding lunches/dinners for weddings and baptisms is allowed in catering establishments or hotel facilities or event halls, by complying with the health protocol for social events, as follows:

• 150 persons in an indoor space for lunch or dinner, or
• 280 persons in an outdoor space for lunch or dinner
• Cocktail parties are allowed with a maximum number of 250 persons at any given time only in an outdoor space.

As of 10 June, and until 30 June, holding lunches/dinners for weddings and baptisms is allowed in catering establishments or hotel facilities or event halls, by complying with the health protocol, as follows:

• 200 persons in an indoor space for lunch or dinner, or
• 350 persons in an outdoor space for lunch or dinner
• Cocktail parties are allowed with a maximum number of 250 persons at any given time only in an outdoor space.

A prerequisite for the attendees is the presentation of evidence as described in question 3.

12. What is considered a social event?

Weddings, baptisms, graduation parties, etc., among others, are considered to be social events. For any form of social event, the framework and conditions (maximum number of people indoors and outdoors, reception, etc.) described in question 11 apply and the protocol for social events is followed.

A prerequisite for the attendees is the presentation of evidence as described in question 3.

C. Church attendance:

13. Are religious services and other forms of religious worship allowed?

As of 1 June, the presence of congregants is allowed with a maximum physical presence of 50% of the capacity of the place of religious worship. The maximum physical presence of 50% of the capacity also concerns religious ceremonies such as weddings, baptisms and funerals.

A necessary prerequisite for the physical presence of congregants in places of religious worship is the possession of a SafePass as described in question 3.

D. Re-opening of businesses:

14. Are catering establishments allowed to operate?

As of 1 June, the operation of the indoors and outdoors spaces of the following categories of catering establishments is permitted, on the basis of the relevant protocol:

-  Restaurants

-  taverns

-   cafes

-   pubs  

-   snack-bars and bars

-   coffee shops

-   restaurants within shopping centres, canteens and/or sports clubs, cultural clubs, associations, societies, etc.

A necessary prerequisite for the indoor spaces is the possession of a SafePass as described in question 3.

15. Is the operation of nightclubs permitted?

Nightclubs operate again as of 10 June, according to the health protocol.

A necessary prerequisite for the indoor spaces is the possession of a SafePass as described in question 3.

16.  What changes in the operation of casinos?

As of 1 June, the percentage of the use of the casinos’ capacity increases to 50%.

A necessary prerequisite is the possession of a SafePass as described in question 3.

17. Is the operation of playgrounds, luna parks and theme parks allowed?

As of 1 June, the operation of playgrounds is allowed in indoor and outdoor spaces, according to the protocol that is in effect for catering establishments, without holding events (i.e. birthday parties etc.).

As of 16 June and on the basis of the health protocol, holding parties for children in playgrounds, luna parks and theme parks, is allowed.

A necessary prerequisite for indoor spaces in the possession of a SafePass as described in question 3.

18. Is the carrying out of conferences and trade exhibitions allowed?

As of 1 June, the holding of conferences and trade exhibitions is allowed, provided that the measure of the use of 50% of the indoor space’s capacity is observed.

Holding cocktail parties is done on the basis of the social events protocol.

A necessary prerequisite is the possession of a SafePass as described in question 3.

19. Is the operation of camping sites allowed?

The operation of camping sites and other similar spaces is allowed as of 16 June.

As of 16 June, the operation of summer schools and children’s camping sites is allowed as well.

A necessary prerequisite for the above places is the possession of a SafePass as described in question 3 from all individuals aged 12 and over.

20. How do private businesses and the public and wider public sector operate?

Until 9 June, private businesses and the departments/services of the public and wider public sector, with the exception of the essential services, work with a physical presence of the staff that does not exceed 50% of the employees.  

As of 10 June, the limitation of the physical presence of the employees is lifted.

21. Whatappliestothefieldofsportsandsportsactivities?

Regarding the operation of sports facilities, including swimming pools, and sports activities, the guidelines issued by the Cyprus Sports Organization apply.

E. Culture:

22. How will the cultural establishments work? (theatres, amphitheatres and other spaces of performance arts)?

As of 1 June, the operation of indoor and open-air cultural spaces (theatres, amphitheatres and other spaces of performance arts) is allowed at 50% capacity and in compliance with the health protocols.

A necessary prerequisite for indoor spaces in the possession of a SafePass as described in question 3.

23. Are festivals allowed at churches?

As of 10 June, folk festivals are allowed at churches and on the basis of the health protocol that is in effect for farmers’ markets.

F. Group institutes and other afternoon activities for children aged 18 and under:

24. How do group institutes and the sports and social activities operate for children aged 18 and under?

As of 1 June, all group institutes for children aged 18 and under are allowed, on the basis of the health protocol.

As of 1 June, other social and extracurricular activities for children aged 18 and under are allowed as well, with the possession of a negative test with effect of 72 hours from all individuals aged 12 and over. For social and extracurricular activities for children under the age of 18 in open-air spaces, the requirement of weekly testing for all individuals aged 12 and over remains.

EH