Coronavirus: Cyprus downgrades Greece to orange

The health ministry on Monday downgraded Greece and Belgium, as part of travel measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

According to a written statement, Greece, Belgium, and Luxembourg have moved from Green to Orange while Portugal was downgraded from Orange to Red.

Sweden and Lithuania have been upgraded from Orange to Green, the ministry said.

The changes come into force on Thursday.

The classification for the countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) including Switzerland is based on that of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Passengers coming from green countries need not present a test nor self-isolate, while those coming from orange category countries are required to have a negative PCR laboratory test within 72 hours before departure.

Passengers coming from the red countries require a test within 72 hours before departure and one upon arrival in the Republic, cost to be covered by them.

Countries not listed in the green, orange and red categories are considered to be in the grey category where special permission to enter Cyprus is needed.

Entry is only allowed to: Cypriot citizens and members of their families (their foreign spouses and their minor children), European citizens, citizens of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland, legal persons residing in the Republic and persons entitled to enter the Republic in accordance with the Vienna Convention.

Also allowed are third-country nationals entitled to enter the Republic of Cyprus after special permission is granted.

Passengers coming from grey countries who have special permission to enter must have undergone a laboratory test by a recognised laboratory no older than 72 hours. They must self-isolate for 14 days or can take another PCR test after 7 days at their own expense.

For more information, including rules concerning vaccinated passengers https://cyprusflightpass.gov.cy/