Coronavirus: Ministry answers frequently asked questions

1. Where is a SafePass required?

In all indoor and outdoor areas as well as in premises where, subject to the distancing measures in accordance with the relevant guidelines and health protocols, there is the possibility of more than 10 persons gathering including employees, persons aged 12 years or older are required to present a SafePass. It is recalled that places where a SafePass presentation is required include retailers, beverage and food retailers, catering places, entertainment places, etc.

The businesses/establishments must make sure that the maximum number of customers that is allowed in the space is indicated in a prominent space outside their business/premises. In addition, they are required to indicate in a prominent space outside their business/establishment, whether or not the presentation of SafePass is required, taking into account both the number of employees and customers.

For example, the presentation of a SafePass is not necessary, provided that in a bakery or mini-market, based on the square meters, 6 customers are allowed to be present at any given time and there are also 4 employees. In a retail store the presentation of SafePass is required provided that, based on the square meters, 7 customers and 4 employees are allowed to be in the space.

Beaches, parks and linear parks, dams, squares, nature trails and excursions are excluded from the obligation to present a SafePass.

2. What is required for admission to private hospitals or hospitals of the State Health Services Organisation?

For admission to hospitals of the private sector or the State Health Services Organisation of Cyprus, all persons aged 12 years or older must possess and present a SafePass. The measure affects both visitors and outpatients, while it is understood that employees must necessarily have a SafePass, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Decree.

3. What is required for entry to senior peoples’ homes and other closed structures?

For entry into senior peoples’ homes and other closed care facilities for the elderly and vulnerable groups, all persons aged 12 years or over must hold and present either a vaccination certificate or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 within the last 180 days or a negative result from a PCR test valid for 72 hours. This measure must be complied with both by the visitors and by the employees in these premises. It is understood that the guidelines and health protocols of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Health must also be complied with.

4. What applies to non-permanent residents in the Republic with regard to the SafePass?

All non-permanent residents entering through the legal points of entry must, for SafePass purposes, present the CyprusFlightPass for the first 7 days of their stay in the Republic. From the 7th day after their arrival (the day of arrival is considered as day 0) and for as long as they remain in Cyprus, they must undergo a PCR or rapid antigen test for SafePass purposes. The requirement to carry out tests as mentioned above excludes holders of a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a certificate of recovery within the last 180 days.

5. Are minors allowed to be vaccinated?

Yes, as of Monday, August 2, 2021, people aged 12-15 may be vaccinated with mRNA (Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna) vaccines, following the recommendation by the Cyprus Paediatric Society and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Coronavirus.

The vaccination of persons aged 12-17 shall be carried out with the necessary signed consent from both parents/legal guardians, in accordance with the procedure followed by the Ministry of Health.

6. What will apply to the holding of festivals?

Festivals may be held only in adjacent places of religious places of worship, provided that all attendees hold a SafePass, including employees. The organisers of the festivals must inform and obtain a licence from the Health Services of the Ministry of Health by sending an e-mail to [email protected].

7. Which groups of the population will be entitled to a test at the mobile testing units through the free of charge programme of the Ministry of Health?

Upon presentation of proof for identification purposes, the following groups may carry out a free rapid test through the program of the Ministry of Health:

• Minors up to 17 years old. It is understood that children aged 12-17 who do not have the consent of their parents/legal guardians for vaccination may carry out a rapid test free of charge through the programme of the Ministry of Health.

• Persons aged 18 years or over who cannot be vaccinated, provided they possess a medical certificate, and after their request has been examined by the Cyprus Medical Association and the Ministry of Health and has been approved.

• Pregnant women who are unable for medical reasons to be vaccinated, provided they possess a medical certificate from their gynaecologists. From 1 to 7 August, pregnant women will be able to present to the testing units a medical certificate from their gynecologist confirming that vaccination is not recommended. From 8 August onwards, the procedure should be followed for obtaining the relevant approval from the Cyprus Medical Association and the Ministry of Health.

• Persons who have been vaccinated with the 1st dose of the vaccine, for the three-week period that they are obliged to be tested as a precondition for the issue of a SafePass. For verification purposes the Vaccination Card must be presented.

• Persons who have completed their vaccination scheme but wish to take tests for health monitoring purposes or for other reasons. It is understood that the Vaccination Card must be presented.

• Persons holding a COVID-19 recovery certificate within the last 180 days but wish to take tests for health monitoring purposes or for other reasons. It is understood that the recovery certificate must be presented.

The Ministry of Health, as part of its surveillance of the epidemiological situation in the country, will continue the checks in closed facilities, in senior peoples’ homes and other places where high-risk persons and/or vulnerable groups of the population reside.