You are here

New relaxations of COVID-19 measures

16/05/2022 10:05
New relaxations on the restrictive measures against COVID-19 come into force as of Sunday, May 15. The new relaxations were decided by the Cabinet on April 20 and May 10, with the lift of Safe Pass checks in all spaces, apart from high-risk spaces, being one of the main relaxations.

The Cabinet decided that as of May 15 no Safe Pass will be necessary for entertainment venues, nightclubs, music and dance venues and receptions venues, wedding and baptizing ceremonies included. The requirement for a Safe pass will still apply for hospitals, closed structures and homes for the elderly. In these spaces, visitors that have not been vaccinated or acquire a covid-19 certificate, will be required to show a negative rapid antigen test valid for 48 hours, or a PCR test valid for 72 hours.

Also, a Safe Pass is needed for employees in hospitals, clinics, medical centers, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and closed care structures and accommodation of vulnerable groups, while for people who do not have a valid vaccination or recovery certificate, a 48-hour Rapid Test or 72-hour PCR is necessary.

As for visitors in public and private hospitals, one person per visit will be allowed, with two visitors maximum per day, with a 24-hour rapid test. In extremely urgent occasions, the number of persons and/or visits may increase, pending the hospital's approval.

Also, Safe Pass will not be needed for students attending all school levels. Test to stay measure is also suspended for students and teachers in Primary and Secondary Education as well as in kindergartens and the National Guard. The obligation to use a protective mask by children under 12 years of age is suspended, but it is noted that for all persons over 13 years old (including students in high schools, even if they are under 13) the obligation to use a protective mask applies only indoors.

It is still recommended that all citizens, regardless of vaccination history, undergo a self-test or rapid antigen test once a week, while those citizens who have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a positive self-test should contact their personal doctor and be referred for a free PCR examination.

In addition, on May 15, the capacity of restaurants, entertainment centers, music and dance centers, events including weddings and baptisms, churches, places of worship, conferences, trade fairs, stadiums and casinos, will increase. Specifically, for premises up to 500 sqm at 100% of capacity and for premises over 500 sqm at 85% of capacity.

Regarding the obligation of self-isolation, the Cabinet decided that it is suspended for close contacts of confirmed positive case that do not hold a valid vaccination or certificate of recovery.  As from 15 May, those who go through self-isolation as close contacts of a confirmed positive case will be able to be released.

Certificates of absence from work for reasons of public health, due to close contact with a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 will be issued only until 14 May. From Sunday, citizens who declare themselves as close contact of a confirmed positive case, will receive a message from the Ministry of Health, for a free examination on the 3rd and 5th day of contact, which will be conducted in clinical laboratories contracted with the Ministry of Health.

The mobile units of the Ministry of Health, will carry out sampling tests only on weekends and citizens regardless of vaccination history will have access.