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Passengers 12+ to undergo PCR testing from December 6

02/12/2021 15:45

All passengers aged 12 and over will have to undergo a PCR test upon their arrival in Cyprus, the Cabinet approved on Thursday.

The proposal was put forward by transport, Communications and Works Minister Yiannis Karousos, and provides that passengers 12+ will arriving at the Republic’s airports or ports, will undergo a PCR test, irrespective of their country of origin, a Transport Ministry press release says.

The Minister pointed out the need to take temporary measures at the island’s legal ports of entry, because of the Omicron variant that has been detected in African and European countries.

The test will be performed even if the passengers have full vaccination coverage or have recovered from COVID-19. The cost of the PCR test will be borne by the passengers themselves.

Those passengers arriving in Cyprus for a brief visit are required to have a negative PCR test valid for up to 72 hours. In addition, they will undergo a compulsory Rapid Test at the expense of the government.

The decision will come into effect from 6 December until 10th January and will be re-evaluated according to the situation.

In an effort to detect imported cases, PCR tests have already begun and will continue until December 6th through random checks on passengers, regardless of the country of initial arrival.