Cyprus: Authorities will tighten certain COVID-19-related international entry restrictions starting Feb. 6 /update 27

Authorities to tighten some COVID-19-related international entry restrictions from Feb. 6; some domestic restrictions to ease from Feb. 8.

Event

Authorities in Cyprus will tighten certain COVID-19-related international entry restrictions starting Feb. 6. Authorities have divided countries into three categories. Starting Feb. 6, travelers from countries in Category A will need to self-isolate for 72 hours upon arrival, and take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours after the end of the quarantine period. Travelers who have visited a Category-B country in the previous 14 days will require a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure for Cyprus in addition to the requirements for Category-A travelers. Direct travel from Category C countries is permitted for Cypriot nationals only with few exceptions. Travelers who have visited a Category-C country within the previous 14 days have the same testing requirements as travelers from Category B countries, but they must also undergo a 14-day quarantine in government-assigned accommodation; individuals may be released from quarantine after 10 days if they achieve a negative result in a second test. As of the most recent review on Feb. 3, countries in the three categories are as follows:

Category A: Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and Singapore
Category B: Japan, China (including Hong Kong, and Macau), Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Norway, Rwanda, Rwanda, and South Korea
Category C: All other countries

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

Domestic restrictions
Following a significant decrease in nationwide infection rates, Cyprus will ease certain domestic COVID-19 restrictions from Feb. 8. Cinemas and theaters will be allowed to reopen. In addition, all individual sports, as well as outdoor group sports with up to five people will be allowed to resume. Previously authorities eased certain measures imposed on some nonessential businesses from Feb. 1. Contact businesses, such as beauty salons and tattoo parlors, have been permitted to reopen from this date. Employers may have up to 50 percent of staff on-site from this date.

Restrictions that remain in place in Cyprus as of Feb. 3 include:

Many retail stores and shopping malls remain closed
A 2100-0500 curfew is in place nationwide; essential workers and residents seeking emergency medical attention are exempt. Residents are only permitted to leave their homes twice per day after logging their trip with health authorities via text message.
Household gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people. Gatherings between different households are allowed for up to two people until Feb. 8, and four people starting Feb. 8.
Weddings, baptisms, and funerals may take place in places of worship, but may not exceed 10 attendees.
Restaurants, cafes, and bars can offer takeaway services only.
A maximum of two people, excluding children, is permitted to gather in public.
Facemasks are mandatory on public transport and in all outdoor public spaces, except while exercising, in addition to 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.