The Council of Ministers has decided the following in order to limit the spread of the virus ahead of the Christmas Holidays:
(a) the re-opening of schools after the Christmas holidays on 10 January and upon the students’ return, all students, teachers and other school staff must present a negative 48-hour rapid antigen test.
(b) the extension of all other provisions of the Decree in force until 15 January 2022.
(c) as of 22 December 2021, all working people, who have completed their Covid-19 vaccination scheme with the two doses of the two dose vaccines and with one dose of the single-dose vaccines, or those who hold a certificate of recovery (180-day duration) are required to present a negative rapid antigen test valid for 7 days in order to enter their workplace. Individuals who have received the booster/3rd dose of the vaccine are exlcuded. If there is a transmission chain in a workplace, all members of the staff will be subject to a test without exception.
(d) as of 22 December 2021, before visiting other houses for the Christmas celebrations, all citizens are recommended to hold a rapid antigen test with a negative result. Individuals who have received at least two doses of the vaccine may carry out a self-test, while individuals who have not received any dose of the vaccine are recommended to carry out 48-hour rapid antigen tests. It is reminded that the maximum number of people in a house is 20, including residents and underage children.
(e) the reduction of the time period of the COVID-19 disease certificate from 6 months (180 days) to 3 months (90 days) with effect from 31 January 2022. A relevant announcement will be made in the coming days.
(f) from 22 December 2021 until 6 January 2022, in view of the Christmas holidays, children aged 12-17 will be able to enter
catering establishments (including catering areas in shopping centres and hotels), theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas,
performance spaces, closed and outdoor stadiums, weddings and christenings upon presentation of a negative laboratory Rapid test valid for 72 hours, provided that they are accompanied by a parent/guardian who has completed his/her vaccination scheme (two doses for the two-dose vaccines and one dose for the single-dose vaccines). It is clarified that if 7 months have elapsed since the parents’ vaccination and they have not received a booster dose of the vaccine, they will be allowed to enter the above areas accompanied by their children.
(g) for visitors and employees in day-care facilities for vulnerable groups and day centres housed in the same premises with
senior people’s homes and other closed care and accommodation structures for the elderly and for vulnerable groups, the same measures in force for senior people’s homes and closed structures apply, following the instructions of the Ministry of Health and the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare. In other words, persons aged 6 to 11 years are required to hold a negative test result of 7 days or a certificate of recovery from the COVID-19 disease, and persons aged 12 years or over to hold a negative 72-hour test result, or a certificate stating the completion of their vaccination scheme, or a certificate of recovery from the COVID-19 disease of 180 days.
Read the whole announcement here > https://www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus/uploads/21122021–Press%20Release%20-%20Statement%20by%20the%20Minister%20of%20Health,%20Mr%20Michalis%20Hadjipantela,%20following%20a%20meeting%20of%20the%20Council%20of%20Ministers%20%E2%80%93%20Decisions%20on%20new%20measures.pdf
Find more clarifications here> https://www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus/uploads/22122021_clarificationsEN.pdf