Northern Cyprus: Officials will ease certain COVID-19-related restrictions from Feb. 22 /update 21

Event

Health officials in Northern Cyprus will ease certain COVID-19-related restrictions from Feb. 22. Authorities will allow retail and merchandising services, as well as markets, to reopen on weekdays. A nationwide 2000-0500 curfew will remain in place; individuals may leave their homes only for essential purposes during curfew hours. Pharmacies, groceries, supermarkets, bakeries, gas stations, and stores will be open 0800-1800 on Saturdays, while all businesses will be closed on Sundays.

Additionally, educational institutions will remain closed until at least Feb. 28. Many public-facing employees are reportedly required to undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing before resuming their duties. Protective face coverings are mandatory in public spaces.

International Entry Restrictions
Officials have designated three categories of countries from which travelers are allowed to enter Northern Cyprus. Travelers from Category-A countries, including Australia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, South Korea, and Thailand, must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test on entry, taken no more than 72 hours before boarding. For travelers from Category A arriving in Northern Cyprus via Turkey, the rules from Category B will apply.

Travelers from Category-B countries must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test upon entry, taken within 120 hours before boarding. The travelers will be additionally quarantined in state-designated quarantine centers at their own expense for seven days, after which they will be released on confirmation of a negative PCR test. Officials will isolate students arriving in Northern Cyprus for higher education for seven days in dormitories or hotels designated by their respective universities.

Travelers from Category-C countries, as well as permitted travelers who have been to the U.K, the Netherlands, Brazil, Denmark and South Africa in the past 14 days must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test upon entry, taken within 120 hours before boarding. They must quarantine at a designated facility at their own expense for 14 days. Travelers from U.K, the Netherlands, Brazil, Denmark and South Africa that are not citizens or residents of Northern Cyprus are barred from entry.

Ercan International Airport (ECN) is operating a reduced timetable; ECN is Northern Cyprus' only commercial airport and only operates direct flights with Turkey. Authorities could temporarily prohibit foreigners from entering via ECN if state-designated quarantine centers have reached capacity. Limited crossing points are open at the land border with Cyprus; residents crossing between Northern Cyprus and Cyprus will be subject to quarantine, except for residents traveling for work who will need to posses a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) no older than seven days

Restrictions may be reintroduced or amended at any time, depending on disease activity in the country.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

Northern Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Northern Cyprus Ministry of Health - Country Categories
World Health Organization (WHO)