Coronavirus: Norway, Czech and Denmark downgraded to red

Norway, Czech and Denmark were downgraded to the red category in new travel guidelines issued by the health ministry on Monday.

The countries, currently in the orange category, will be downgraded as of Thursday, the ministry said.

Following the changes, the orange category includes France, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Andorra, Monaco, Lichtenstein, Japan, Australia, Qatar, China (including Hong Kong, Macau), Bahrain, Uruguay, Rwanda, and Chile.

Green category countries concern Italy, Malta, Vatican City, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, New Zealand and Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile in the red category are also Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, San Marino, Switzerland, Iceland as well as 14 third countries including Egypt, Armenia, Georgia, United States of America, United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, Belarus, Lebanon, Oman, Ukraine, Russia, Serbia, and Singapore.

The health ministry reiterated that 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.

Fully vaccinated passengers can travel to the island from any country, without having the get tested or self isolate. The exclusion concerns passengers who have recovered from Covid-19 in the last 180 days and hold a valid EU Digital Covid certificate.

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.