Cyprus: Authorities reopen border crossings with Northern Cyprus June 4 /update 38

Event

Authorities in Cyprus have will ease entry restrictions with Northern Cyprus, effective June 4. Residents crossing between the two entities are no longer subject to quarantine provided they can present a negative PCR COVID-19 test or a rapid antigen test from within the last seven days.

Authorities previously lifted the nation's COVID-19 entry restrictions for fully vaccinated travelers from permitted countries, including European Economic Area countries, UK, US, Canada, Israel, and Russia. These travelers may enter Cyprus without restrictions the same day as the vaccination has been completed. Travelers will need to upload a copy of their vaccine certificate to their Cyprus Flight Pass profile. All citizens of Cyprus who hold valid certificates of vaccination issued by their country of residence may enter Cyprus without restrictions.

The Cypriot government continues to use a three-tier color-coded system for classifying countries by risk of disease transmission. The tiers include the same "green," "orange," and "red" levels as the European Centre for Disease Control's (ECDC) categorization system.

Passengers from red countries, which are considered high-risk, must present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before departure and take a second PCR test upon arrival at their own expense. These travelers must also self-isolate while waiting for the results of the second test.

Passengers from orange countries, which are considered medium risk, must present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. Cypriot citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members may instead take a PCR test upon entry at their own expense and self-isolate while waiting for the results.

Travelers from green countries, which are considered low risk, may enter without restrictions.

All international arrivals must register online through the official Cyprus Flight Pass website within 24 hours prior to departure from their point of origin.

For a complete list of the countries in each category, click here.

International Entry Restrictions
Authorities previously eased domestic restrictions. The nightly curfew has been eased to begin one hour later, with the new curfew hours running 01:00-05:00. Also, the cap on attendance at private gatherings has been increased from 10 to 20 people. Moreover, conference and trade fair venues, casinos, theaters, performance arts facilities, and similar venues are allowed to resume activities with 50 percent capacity. Catering establishments are allowed to reopen their indoor areas. Effective June 10, the Cypriot government plans to lift the curfew completely, as well as remove the existing requirement that private companies operate with no more than 50 percent of their staff working on-premises. Nightclubs will also resume operating on June 10.

Residents over the age of 12 years are no longer required to produce a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours, proof of vaccination, or evidence of having recovered from COVID-19 to attend gatherings in outdoor locations, including outside seating areas at restaurants. Nevertheless, such documentation is required to access many indoor establishments, including inside areas of restaurants, shopping malls, places of worship, and hotels, as well as conferences and trade fairs. This type of documentation is not required, however, when visiting essential establishments such as supermarkets, hairdressers, banks, kiosks, bakeries, or public services.

The use of protective facemasks remains mandatory in all outdoor public spaces except while exercising, on public transport, and in all indoor public spaces.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

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.