Cyprus: Authorities ease domestic COVID-19 restrictions May 17 /update 36

Cyprus eases domestic COVID-19 restrictions May 17. International entry restrictions remain in place.

Event

Authorities have eased the nation's domestic COVID-19 countermeasures May 17. The curfew will start one hour later, with the new curfew hours running 00:00-05:00. Residents are now permitted to gather in outdoor restaurants and other outdoor venues without providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours, vaccination, or of having recovered from COVID-19; however, such proof is required for indoor venues including shopping malls and places of worship. Persons are not required to show such proof when visiting essential establishments such as supermarkets, hairdressers, banks, kiosks, bakeries, or public services.

Authorities previously eased COVID-19 countermeasures May 10, allowing most businesses to reopen and easing limitations on movement outside of curfew hours. Nightclubs will be permitted to reopen June 10.

The following restrictions remain in place:

Private businesses are limited to having no more than 50 percent of their staff on-premises.
Public gatherings are limited to 10 people.
Facemasks are mandatory on public transport and in all outdoor public spaces, except while exercising, in addition to all indoor public spaces.

International Entry Restrictions
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 resident country 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. It remains unclear how often Cyprus will update its country-category listings.

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.

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.