CORONAVIRUS - SIX COUNTRIES HAVE CATEGORY DOWNGRADED, ONE UPGRADED - wef 24/9

 Cyprus Mail 21 September 2020 - by Peter Michael

The health ministry on Monday announced that seven countries would have entry requirements changed based on coronavirus protocols.

Six of the countries were downgraded in their categories, while one was upgraded.  The changes will be in effect from September 24.

Canada and Norway were moved from A to B, meaning all people arriving will need to present a negative PCR test for coronavirus, no more than 72 hours old.

Austria, Slovenia, Portugal, and Switzerland were all moved from category B to C, meaning only Cypriot citizens and legal residents of the island can fly in but will need to have a PCR test no more than 72 hours old, or be tested in Cyprus, stay in self-isolation for 14 days on arrival, and repeat their test two days before the end of their self-isolation.

The upgraded country was Serbia, which the ministry decided would move from category C to B.

Anyone arriving in Cyprus will also need to complete a Cyprus Flight Pass online, and information on all the categories is available at  https://cyprusflightpass.gov.cy/.

Category A – Low-risk countries at this stage

• Member States of the European Union: 1) Germany, 2) Latvia, 3) Lithuania, 4) Finland
• Third Countries: 1) Australia, 2) New Zealand, 3) South Korea, 4) Thailand

This category has been associated with countries with an actual reproduction number (Rt) of less than 1 and/or a small number of new diagnoses (<1/100,000 inhabitants per day) and/or a small or very low MORTALITY COVID19 (<5-10/1 00,000 inhabitants) and/or classification of sporadic cases or cluster of cases according to the WHO and/or at least satisfactory laboratory testing (>3000 tests/100,000 inhabitants).

It should be noted that passengers from Category A countries do not require the presentation of a COVID-19laboratory test certificate or self-limit.

Category B – Countries with a potentially low risk but with more doubt compared to Category A

• Member States of the European Union: 1) Belgium, 2) Denmark, 3) Greece, 4) Estonia, 5) Ireland, 6) Italy, 7) Poland, 8) Sweden, 9) Slovakia
• United Kingdom
• Members of the Schengen Zone: 1) Iceland, 2) Liechtenstein, 3) Norway
• Small States: 1) Vatican City, 2) San Marino
• Third Countries: 1) Uruguay, 2) China (including Hong Kong), 3) Japan, 4) Georgia, 5) Rwanda, 6) Canada, 7) Serbia

This category has been associated with countries with an actual reproduction number (Rt) of more than 1 and/or a number of new diagnoses >1/100,000 inhabitants per day and/or increased MORTALITY COVID-19 (>10/100,000 inhabitants) and/or limited laboratory testing (<2000 tests/100,000 inhabitants) or lack of WHO classification.

It is noted that passengers from Category B countries are required to have carried out a laboratory check within 72 hours prior to departure and to have a Certificate proving a negative PCR test for the virus.

It should be specified, at the same time, that passengers from category B countries falling within the following categories may carry out the molecular examination on arrival in the Republic:

(a) Cypriot citizens and members of their families (their foreign spouses, minor children and their parents);

(b) all legal residents of the Republic;

(c) persons entitled in accordance with the Vienna Convention;

(d) persons irrespective of nationality, in whose country of residence there is no laboratory analysis service (public or private), to those who wish to travel to the Republic of Cyprus and upon notice.

It is noted that the cost of the examination is covered by them and in addition these persons should remain under house arrest until the result is published.

Category C – Countries of increased risk compared to categories A and B

• Member States of the European Union: 1) Austria, 2) Bulgaria, 3) France, 4) Croatia, 5) Luxembourg, 6) Romania, 7) Spain, 8) Malta, 9) Netherlands, 10) Hungary, 11) Portugal, 12) Slovenia, 13) Czech Republic
• Small states: 1) Andorra, 2) Monaco
• Members of the Schengen Zone: 1) Switzerland
• Third Countries: 1) Algeria, 2) Morocco, 3) Montenegro, 4) Tunisia]

This category also includes those countries not included in categories A or B. Some of the countries at increased risk according to their epidemiological picture are mentioned above.

According to the Infectious Diseases Decree (No. 30) of 2020, only specified categories of citizens who have the option to choose as they undergo a covid-19 disease diagnostic test on arrival in Cyprus or to have an RT-PCR COVID-19 certificate with a negative result within 72 hours prior to departure are allowed to enter the Republic. It is noted that these persons should remain in self-contained status for 14 days. Relevant health instructions can be found at the link here.

It should also be noted that according to the Decree of the Minister of Health, No. 37, dated 12 August 2020, citizens from countries falling within Category C will be required to undergo a molecular examination for COVID-19 disease at their ownexpense, 48hours before the end of their self-limit, which expires at 14 days. The result of the laboratory examination must be sent to the e-monada@mphs.moh.gov.cy. It is understood that the self-limit is terminated on the 14th day and if the result of the repeated laboratory examination is negative.

It is stressed that all passengers, regardless of country category, are obliged to apply for Cyprus Flight Passs within 24 hours prior to the departure of their flight. In addition, for the purpose of ensuring public health and supervising the epidemiological picture, COVID-19 laboratory molecular testing will be carried out on passengers on selected flights arriving.

It is noted that the above categorization of countries will take effect from 24 September