Cyprus will apply Sunday new relaxations on the restrictive measures against COVID-19. The new relaxations were decided by the Cabinet on April 20 and May 10.
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, including for wedding and baptising ceremonies, while no Safe Pass will be required for visits in both public and private hospital with a maximum number of two per day (one person per visit). Visitors will be required to show a negative rapid antigen test valid for 24 hours.
Safe Pass is required only for hospitals, closed structures and homes for the elderly.
Also, 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.
In addition, from Sunday, the obligation of self-isolation 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.
In addition, the obligation to use a protective mask by children under 12 years of age is suspended, while it is clarified that children over 12 years old, who attend Primary education, are not obliged to wear a protective mask within school. It is also clarified that children under the age of 12, who attend Secondary Education are obliged to wear a protective mask inside the school.
It is also noted that for all persons over 13 years old 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.
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.
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 sq.m at 100% of capacity and for premises over 500 sq.m at 85% of capacity.
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.
Source: Cyprus News Agency