Two countries – Austria and Croatia – have been downgraded from the Orange to Red category for arrivals to Cyprus as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus, the health ministry said on Monday.

Two others, Denmark and United Arab Emirates, have moved in the opposite direction from Red to Orange.

The changes come into force on Thursday.

The Green category is made up of: EU: Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and third countries Australia, Jordan, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

The Orange category is made up of: EU: Denmark, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Romania, Finland. Small states: Andorra, Vatican City and third countries: United Arab Emirates, Qatar, China (including Hong Kong, Macau), Kuwait and Bahrain.

The Red category is made up of: EU: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Spain, Croatia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden; Small states: Monaco and San Marino; Schengen: Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and third countries: Azerbaijan, Egypt, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, United States of America, United Kingdom, Japan, Israel, Canada, Belarus, Lebanon, Moldova, Brunei, South Korea, Ukraine, Russia and Serbia.

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.

Vaccinated arrivals are exempt from the requirement for tests and/or self-isolation. They must have a valid vaccination certificate from an EU or EEA state, or Switzerland, Israel, UK, Russia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Belarus, Serbia, Qatar, Bahrain, USA, Armenia, Georgia, Canada, Kuwait and China and have been vaccinated by EMA approved vaccines or Sputnik, Sinopharm and Sinovac and have completed their vaccination.

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