Northern Cyprus: Officials amend certain COVID-19-related restrictions from March 8 /update 22

Event

Health officials in Northern Cyprus have amended certain COVID-19 related restrictions for the period of March 8-15. Curfew hours are amended to 2100-0500 on weekdays, and a weekend curfew from 2100 Friday-0500 Monday is imposed; individuals may only leave their homes for essential purposes during curfew hours. Certain cultural, entertainment, and leisure businesses are closed, and only essential businesses are permitted to open during weekends. Restaurants are permitted to open outdoor spaces from March 10. Permitted businesses must implement strict hygiene requirements. Educational facilities are continuing to provide distance learning only. Protective facemasks remain 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 UK, 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 possess 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)