25/01/2021 15:02
There in a grave concern among EU members states, among which is Cyprus, since a higher epidemiological burden is expected during the next 6 to 12 weeks, due to the increased transmissibility and the aggressive spread of the new COVID-19 variant, a press release issued by Cyprus Health Ministry said.
The Ministry assured that strict checks are carried out at Larnaca and Paphos airports according to the recommendations made by the European Commission.
The Ministry recalled that the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that EU member states must implement such measures with a view to prevent the closing of borders and a future lockdown.
Among these measures are increased tests at the gateways and containing the number of passengers mainly from the UK from which the new variant has spread.
The Health Ministry noted that according to the categorization of the countries, implemented by Cyprus, since August people who arrive from the UK need to present a negative COVID-19 test carried out 72 hours before their arrival to Cyprus, while increased random checks are carried out in Larnaca and Paphos airports as regards passengers from the UK.
Moreover, since December 21, 2020, the UK is in Category C, which means that certain groups of people can come to Cyprus from there, including Cypriot citizens, permanent residents etc. Moreover tests are carried out for all flights from the UK upon arrival and passengers are taken to hotels of the Republic for an obligatory seven days quarantine.
A second test is carried out on the sixth day since their arrival and those with a negative result are taken to their homes for self-isolation until the tenth day.