Coronavirus: Seven countries change categories

The health ministry on Monday issued new country rankings for travel, upgrading Malta from Orange to Green, and Liechtenstein, Norway and Japan from Red to Orange.

On the other hand, Hungary was moved from Green to Orange, while Luxembourg and Singapore moved from Orange to Red.

The changes come into effect on Thursday, October 7.

The health ministry added that following a decision of the European Commission the list of third countries from which non-essential trips to the EU are permitted has been amended with the addition of Rwanda and Chile. For Cyprus both has been classified in the Orange category, the ministry added.

The Green category from October 7 is made up of:  EU: Malta, Poland, Czechia; third countries: Australia, Jordan, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia.

The Orange category is made up of; EU:  France, Denmark, Greece, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden, Finland; Small states: Andorra, Vatican; third countries: UAE, Japan, Qatar, China (including Hong Kong, Macau), Kuwait, Bahrain, Uruguay, Rwanda, Chile.

The Red category is made up of: EU: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovenia; Small states: Monaco, San Marino; Schengen: Switzerland; Third countries: Egypt, Armenia, Georgia, USA, UK, Israel, Canada, Belarus, Lebanon, South Korea, Ukraine, Russia, Serbia, Singapore.

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

Passengers coming from Green countries need not present a test nor self-isolate.

Passengers from Orange category countries are required to have a negative PCR laboratory test within 72 hours before departure

Passengers from the Red countries require: a) a laboratory tests within 72 hours before departure and b) carry out a laboratory test 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 for: 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.