Cyprus Dropped Mask Mandate and Test Requirements Entirely
The decision was announced by the Cypriot Health Minister, Michalis Hadijpantela, who cited the improved epidemiological situation as the main factor for the news, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
“It is recommended that people belonging to the vulnerable groups and people interacting with high-risk persons wear their masks,” local Cypriot media reports, reminding nationals to be careful.
In addition, as of August 31, restaurants, nightclubs, stadiums, churches, and casinos will be able to use their full occupancy capacity, meaning that there isn’t any limitation on the number of people permitted to share such space.
The mandatory rapid tests have also been abolished, but the government has distributed a free pack with five self-tests to all primary and pre-primary school students as they return to classes in September.
“After three years, we are in position to move with significant relaxations of the current measures, as the epidemiological data show significant improvement in our country. We will continue to raise awareness of the need to observe protection measures and the benefits of vaccination against COVID-19 among other things” the minister said.
Although the requirement for mandatory tests has been dropped, all students and school staff are required to undergo a self-test before marking their return to school. In addition, a weekly rapid or self-test will be recommended for everyone, regardless if they are fully, partially or non-vaccinated.
The Health Minister vowed that the national action plan will remain in favour of protecting public health while keeping the economy as well as the society open and resilient.
According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the total number of cases recorded in Cyprus since the pandemic started is 576,278, with 2,154 of those being reported in the last seven days. In addition, death rates stand at 1,168 – 16 of which were reported in the last week.
While the number of infections has dropped, the total vaccine doses administered per 100 population has reached 204.6, and the number of people with the last dose of primary series per 100 population is 73.81.
The new measures indicate that Cyprus is fully open for tourists, and as Tourism Minister Savvas Perdios, has revealed, the country has already reached 80 per cent of its pre-pandemic levels in tourism, receiving nearly four million tourists as of July.
