ATHENS Jan 4th Cyprus is tightening the rules of entry for travelers: from January 4, all passengers, regardless of vaccination, must do a PCR test 48 hours before departure. The corresponding decision was made by the Council of Ministers of the island state. The decree is valid until January 15. «From January 4, from 23:00, passengers aged 12 years and older arriving in the Republic of Cyprus must undergo a PCR laboratory examination 48 hours before departure. The decision applies to all passengers, regardless of whether they have passed vaccination earlier, «- said the Ministry of Health of Cyprus. This requirement also applies to those passengers who travel on January 4 or later and filled out a flight card to Cyprus (CyprusFlightPass) within 48 hours before January 4, says the Ministry of Health. Previously, it was required to undergo a PCR test for the virus within 72 hours before departure. «We remind you that upon arrival, all passengers, regardless of vaccination, undergo a laboratory PCR test, the cost is paid by the passenger,» the ministry said. Passengers who have received a booster dose of vaccine must also undergo a rapid COVID-19 antigen test within 72 hours of arrival. 
Israel from January 9 will allow foreigners who have recovered from COVID-19 to enter this applies to passengers from all countries who are allowed to enter Cyprus. In addition to the member states of the European Union, small states (Andorra, Monaco, Vatican, San Marino) and members of the Schengen zone (Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), citizens of a number of third countries, including Russia, can also enter Cyprus. in the «red» category of countries. Passengers in the «red» category used to have to undergo laboratory analysis within 72 hours before departure and then undergo laboratory analysis upon arrival in Cyprus. Thus, the validity of the test will now be reduced by a day — up to 48 hours. Cyprus is tightening sanitary measures due to the worsening epidemiological situation — the number of infected people has sharply increased on the island in recent days, as the omicron strain is spreading. In Cyprus, it is now mandatory to use a protective mask indoors and outdoors. Entrance to nightclubs, banquets and weddings is allowed only for vaccinated persons and only with a negative test. Visitors must sit, no dancing. 
30 December 2021, 08:00
