Cyprus launches action plan for resumption of flights

Cyprus’ action plan for the gradual resumption of flights and the re-opening of airports with additional security measures, enters into force on 1st March.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Health, following the relevant decision of the Council of Ministers, the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit re-evaluated the epidemiological risk of the various countries regarding COVID-19 disease.

From the first of March for the EU countries and the European Economic Area countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) including Switzerland, the categorization of countries of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) will be followed, according to the green, orange or red areas.

The evaluation of third countries (United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Lebanon, UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Belarus) as well as of the European Council Recommendation list of third countries, will be carried out by the Ministry of Health which will classify them as green, orange, red and grey.

It is noted that the following categorization could be differentiated at any time, as the pandemic evolves and the epidemiological data change. To this end, new data will be announced and the list of countries will be updated frequently.

The Green countries currently considered at low risk are Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.

From 1st to 31st March 2021, persons arriving from any of the above countries, which have been classified in the green category, will undergo a PCR laboratory test, the cost of which will be covered by the Republic of Cyprus. From April first there will be no restrictions, a practice that is already in force.

The countries in the Orange Category are Denmark, Finland, Norway, China (including Hong Kong and Macao), South Korea and Thailand. In this category, the presentation of a negative laboratory analysis of PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure is required, as is the case today.

The Red countries, which are at higher risk compared to the Green and Orange countries, include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Ireland, Croatia, Luxembourg, Romania, Spain, Italy, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Germany, Greece, Andorra, Monaco, Vatican City, San Marino, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

In this category a double laboratory testing is required, a negative laboratory PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure and another laboratory PCR test upon arrival in Cyprus.

It should be noted that Cypriot citizens and legal residents of the Republic can choose to undergo a laboratory testing only upon arrival in Cyprus. In this case, they should remain in compulsory self-isolation, in accordance with the relevant instructions of the Ministry of Health, unless they present an additional negative PCR laboratory test within 72 hours prior to departure.

The Gray Countries (Special permit) are: United Kingdom, Israel, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Belarus, Rwanda.In this particular category, the procedure for obtaining a special entry permit into the Republic, shall be implemented for citizens of third countries (exempt from the requirement of a special permit are Cypriot citizens, persons lawfully residing in the Republic of Cyprus and European citizens). In this category, persons arriving in the Republic shall remain in compulsory self-isolation, in accordance with the relevant instructions of the Ministry of Health.

It is noted that the Council of Ministers decided to extend until 31st March 2021, the measure of 7-day stay in places to be designated by the Republic of Cyprus for those arriving from the United Kingdom, in accordance with the preconditions already in force.

All passengers, regardless of their country of origin, are required to apply for CyprusFlightPass within 24 hours before the departure of their flight.