C-19 Announcement

Additional Precautionary Decisions taken by the Ministry of Health in respect of the decisions taken by the Communicable Diseases High Committee under the Law on Communicable Diseases no.45/2018

1. The curfew will continue until 06/06/2021 (inclusive) between the hours of 23:30 and 05:00 except for meeting basic needs.

1. Retail and merchandising services, and all services/sectors that are not specified as closed will serve between 08:30 and 20:00. Restaurants, cafes, patisseries and taverns will serve between 06:00 and 22:30. Markets will be open between 07:00 and 22:00.

1. It is proposed that that the curfew is changed to “between the hours of 00.00 and 05.00 except for meeting basic needs” for all days of the week from 07/06/2021 onward.

1. Additional Precautionary Decisions taken by the Ministry of Health are as follows;

1. From 07/06/2021 onward retail and merchandising services and all services/sectors not stated as closed will continue to serve between the hours of 08:30 and 20:00; restaurants, cafes, patisseries, snack bars and taverns will be able to continue to serve between the hours of 06:00 and 23:30. Markets will be open between the hours of 07:00 and 23:00.

PLACES THAT ARE CLOSED:

– Restaurants serving open buffets
– Note: Indoor game halls and casinos will open on 04.06.2021 by observing mask, social distance and hygiene rules.

RULES IN PLACES THAT ARE OPEN:

All businesses and activities will serve in their normal working order within the framework of the pandemic rules.

Businesses will make arrangements so that the total number of customers and employees will be a maximum of 1 person per 5m2. In order to ensure social distancing, these businesses must place signs at the entrances of their businesses stating the m2 area and the total number of people, including employees, who can be in the business at any one time, and place markings on the floor accordingly.

There will be no trying on of items in the clothing sector.

All supply chain activities will be carried out between the hours of 08:00 and 21:00.

Regarding Covid-19 tests; all institutions/establishments and sectors not specified in the rules below will repeat PCR/Antigen tests every fifteen days.

Sectors that are open will be inspected by the associations they are registered,
District Police Boards, municipalities, and the Police General Directorate.

Businesses will sign a letter of undertaking and legal proceedings will be launched against the relevant institution if the specified rules are not adhered to.

Birthdays can be held in outdoor areas by observing the pandemic rules.

Mevlits can be held in outdoor areas by observing the pandemic rules.

DECISIONS
– The entry criteria to the country from overseas between 03.06.2021-10.06.2021 (both dates inclusive) will be as stated below. The country colours stated in the criteria will be updated every week.

DARK RED;
• People who have travelled to these countries in the last 14 days are forbidden from entering the country.

• TRNC citizens will be able to enter the country on the condition of a negative PCR test result from within the last 72 hours and upon entry to the island, and 14 days of quarantine.

RED;
• Regardless of whether or not they have been vaccinated, they will be able to enter the country on the condition of a pre-departure negative PCR result from the last 72 hours and 10 days of quarantine.

ORANGE;
• VACCINATED or HAVE HAD THE DISEASE;
• Pre-departure negative PCR result from the last 72 hours.
• Quarantine-free entry

• UNVACCINATED;
• Pre-departure negative PCR result from the last 72 hours.
• 10 days quarantine.

YELLOW;
• VACCINATED or HAVE HAD THE DISEASE;
• Pre-departure negative PCR result from the last 72 hours.
• Quarantine-free entry

• UNVACCINATED;
• Pre-departure negative PCR result from the last 72 hours
• 7 days of quarantine.

GREEN;
• VACCINATED or HAVE HAD THE DISEASE;
• No restrictions

• UNVACCINATED;
• Pre-departure negative PCR result from the last 72 hours. Quarantine-free entry

GREY;
• Regardless of whether they are vaccinated, they will be able to enter the country on the condition of a pre-departure negative PCR result from the last 72 hours and 14 days of quarantine.

GENERAL RULES;

• • PCR / LAMP / ANTIGEN tests can be applied at all entry gates.

• VACCINATED PEOPLE: Completed the vaccination programme. From 14 days up to 6 months after the last dose.
o SINOVAC BIOTECH: 2 DOSES
o SINOPHARM: 2 DOSES
o COMIRNATY (Pfizer/Biontech): 2 DOSES
o VAXZEVRIA (Astrazeneca/Oxford): 2 DOSES
o COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen / Johnson and Johnson: 1 DOSE
o SPUTNIK V: 2 DOSES
o MODERNA: 2 DOSES

• People who have had the disease: Submit a positive PCR test result between 30-180 days before travel

• Children under the age of 18 will be able to enter the country with their vaccinated parents based on the category of the country they have traveled from and in accordance with the PCR test rules (children who are 6 years old and over).

• Passengers will be evaluated based on the country that is in the highest risk group among the countries they have set foot in/ been in, in the last 14 days.

1. Border crossings within the island will be as stated below.
• Level 1 (Green): No tests, no restrictions
• Level 2 (Orange): Negative Antigen/PCR test one every 7 days
• Level 3 (Red): Crossings are restricted. 72-hour PCR testing for crossings for health reasons. Negative Antigen/PCR test every 7 days for crossings due to work, education, residence.

*Passengers will be evaluated based on the country that is in the highest risk group among the countries they have set foot in/ been in, in the last 14 days.

People who are required to enter quarantine based on the above criteria will be able to spend their quarantine periods of 10 to 14 days, depending on the country of origin, at their specified address of residence, provided that they show their address of residence in our country and download the “Stay Safe Application” before coming to the country. They will go to the address of residence they have committed to spending their quarantine in, either alone or in the company of a driver, or by public transport, taxi, touristic minibus authorized vehicles determined by the Ministry of Finance. People over the age of 65 and those who go abroad for health reasons with the approval of the Health Committee will be able to download the “Stay Safe Application” after they return to the country.

People, who do not comply with the aforementioned rules, do not provide an address of residence in our country and want to come to our country will stay in central quarantine for 10 or 14 days, depending on the country they come from, in designated central quarantine hotels.

It is recommended that people who do not comply with the home quarantine rules are sent to central quarantine, pay for their own quarantine fees, and that criminal proceedings are launched against them in accordance with the relevant legislation.

– People who have had contact with a Covid-19 positive person in our country that requires quarantine, will be subject to 10 days quarantine. At the end of 10 days, if the PCR test result to be obtained from the contacts are negative, the isolation period will be ended. Double vaccinated people who have been contact with a Covid-19 positive person and are required to enter quarantine, will be subject to quarantine for 7 days. The contact unit will be able to decide on the wristband quarantine process of contacts related to health reasons.

– It has been deemed necessary to accept passengers on flights to our country with a maximum of 6 flights per day and a maximum of 200 people on each flight; and for sea travel a maximum of 2 journeys per day with a maximum of 150 people per journey (excluding soldiers).

– Hotels that will provide 4-night-5 day indoor hotel tourism, provided that they are subject to charter flights and the wristband application and that they sign the prepared letter of undertaking, must not accept any customers from outside, neither for accommodation nor for restaurants, cafes, etc. located within the hotel, for the purpose of using the areas. It is forbidden for TRNC citizens to come to TRNC with charter flights. In this context, it has been deemed appropriate to organize a maximum of 8 flights per week for indoor hotel tourism. Hotel staff will repeat PCR tests every seven days. Hotel staff will be able to leave the hotel 2 days after the customers leave the hotel in the event that their PCR tests are negative. Suppliers will deliver materials without any contact with the people in the hotel.

– Hotels that want to do local tourism will sign the prepared letters of undertaking and serve within the framework of the specified rules. People working in the hotels will repeat their PCR tests every 7 days. Hotels that will do local tourism (including beach, wedding-engagement events, and similar events) cannot do indoor hotel tourism with charter flights, and cannot be used as quarantine hotels
– Recreational crafts will continue to serve at one third of their passenger capacity. Their staffs will repeat their PCR tests every seven days. In addition, the letter of undertaking to be prepared will be signed and legal action will be launched against those who are found to be breaking the specified rules.  Marinas will be open.
– State and private schools can be opened in the scope of the plan that will be prepared by the Ministry of National Education and Culture (including training centres, after-school centres (study centres), private lessons, course activities and summer schools). Teachers and staff working in kindergartens (3, 4 and 5 years old) and 12th grades will repeat their antigen tests every seven days at the specified stations. In addition, teachers and staff working in the education sector to be opened after planning, will repeat their antigen tests every 7 days. Higher Education Institutions can be opened under the plan to be made by the Ministry of National Education and Culture. Students coming from abroad will be able to enter according to the specified country entry criteria.

– People working in special education centers will repeat their PCR tests every 7 days.
– Libraries will be able to continue their activities by observing social distance, mask and hygiene.
-It has been deemed appropriate for apprentice students to start their education in the workplace depending on the sectors that have opened. The rules applied in the specified sectors will also apply to apprentice students.
-It has been deemed appropriate to conduct national/international exams to be held in our country under the conditions stated below:
– Examinees and invigilators must have negative PCR test results from within the last 72 hours,
– Doors and windows must be kept open at all times in order to ventilate the exam area, – Those entering the exam area must use personal protective equipment during the exam,
– Desks in the exam area must be arranged to comply with social distancing rules
– Disinfectant must be placed at the entrance to the exam area.
-Inter-district and local public transportation can be provided. Passengers will not be allowed next to sit next to the drivers of buses, minibuses, taxis and similar public transport vehicles. In buses, shared taxis and minibuses, passengers will be transported with a seating arrangement that leaves the seat behind the driver’s seat empty, and the operating capacity will be 50% with every other seat empty.  Windows will be open during journeys, air conditioning will not be used and everyone in the vehicle will wear a mask. Vehicles will be disinfected after each journey. In addition, a letter of undertaking will be signed by the business owners of public transport and taxi enterprises engaged in public transportation. If it is determined that the rules specified in the letter of undertaking are not complied with, criminal proceedings will be launched against them in accordance with the relevant legislation.

-Truck drivers entering the country from our ports for the shipment of goods can enter daily, provided that they submit a PCR test they have performed in the last 72 hours and sign the undertaking to be prepared.
– Within the scope of the Green Line Regulation, it has been deemed appropriate for people doing business in South Cyprus to trade without quarantine until 20:00 daily, provided that they submit their official documents regarding trade. Trades people are required to submit negative PCR tests from within the last 7 days.
– Ambulances can transit through the Yeşilırmak Border Gate without quarantine for health purposes only. In addition, it has been deemed appropriate that people who reside in the village of Kato Pyrgos and who will cross to South Cyprus via the TRNC for school and business purposes; and people who will transit through the TRNC for other reasons without stopping anywhere, can do so wıth negative PCR test results that have been performed within the last 7 and 3 days respectively.
– People living in Pile, and those whose names are on the list to be prepared in order to allow mutual visits of their first degree relatives in the TRNC, will be able to cross daily without quarantine, provided that they submit their negative PCR test results from within the last 72 hours. In addition, in order to meet the needs of people residing in Pile, it has been deemed appropriate that if the businesses operating in our country request their workers to cross into Pile, employees can make daily crossings if they submit negative PCR test results from within the last 48 hours.
– UN, EU, British Bases, Buffer Zone, Missing Persons and Peacekeeping employees will be able to enter without quarantine, provided that they submit negative PCR test results from within the last 7 days.
– When diplomats are not with them, diplomatic mission drivers will be able to enter for a maximum of 2 hours for document transportation, route determination and similar jobs, without quarantine provided that they submit a negative PCR test results from the last 7 days.
– It has been deemed appropriate for people residing in Beyarmudu to cross daily without quarantine in order to perform their livestock and agriculture activities in the Buffer Zone and the Bases Region.
– The transfers of those who reside in our country and want to go abroad via South Cyprus Larnaca Airport, and those want to come to our country via South Cyprus Larnaca Airport, will be carried out by T-permit taxis and touristic minibuses. Drivers who will carry out the said transfers are required to submit negative PCR test results within the last 3 days. These vehicles must return within a maximum of 3 hours from the time they cross through the border checkpoint. While ensuring all necessary hygiene conditions in these vehicles, a maximum of 2 passengers will be able to be transferred in taxis with a “T” permit and a maximum of 4 passengers in vehicles with a touristic minibus permit.  For transfers from South Cyprus to our country, the passengers brought with the knowledge of the border police will be transferred to the designated quarantine hotels after submitting their negative PCR test results obtained within the last three days. In addition, taxis with a T-permit can deliver cargo from our country to South Cyprus or from South Cyprus to our country, provided that they submit negative PCR test results from within the last 3 days and return within 3 hours of crossing the border, and provided that they show the document related to the cargo.  In addition, drivers will sign a letter of undertaking prepared within the scope of the aforementioned rules. If it is determined that the specified rules have not been complied with, then drivers will not be allowed to cross again.
– Barbers, hairdressers, beauty salons and tattoo studios/salons will continue their work between the hours of 07:00 and 20:00. People working in these sectors will repeat their antigen tests every seven days. In addition, the prepared letter of undertaking forms will be signed and businesses found to have not adhered to the specified rules will be shut down.
– A maximum of one third of the outdoor and indoor areas of restaurants, patisseries, cafes and taverns and takeaway services will continue to be used. People working in these sectors will repeat their antigen tests every seven days. Live music can be performed in the outdoor areas of restaurants, patisseries, cafes and taverns. Musicians who will perform live music will repeat their PCR tests every 7 days.  In addition, a letter of undertaking will be signed by these sectors and if it is determined that the specified rules are not being adhered to, the sectors may be closed.
Bars and clubs can carry on their activities provided that a maximum of one-third of their outdoor and indoor areas is used. People working in these sectors will have antigen tests done every 7 days. In addition, a letter of undertaking will be signed by these sectors and if it is determined that the specified rules are not complied with, the sectors may be closed.
– A maximum one-third of the outdoor and indoor areas of coffee shops, coffee houses, cafeterias, and clubhouses will continue to be used. People working in these sectors will repeat their antigen tests every seven days. In addition, a letter of undertaking will be signed by these sectors and if it is determined that the specified rules are not being adhered to, the sectors may be closed.
– People working in markets, retail and merchandising services will repeat their PCR or antigen tests every 14 days.
– Worker accommodation houses should be social distance and well-ventilated places within the scope of pandemic rules. Maximum attention will be paid to social distance and hygiene rules in common areas. Persons staying in the workers’ houses will repeat the PCR tests every 7 days.
– Persons who will enter our country due to IVF treatment will be processed according to the entry criteria specified in Article 1 and Article 2. People who are planning to go from quarantine hotels to IVF centres for treatment will be taken from the quarantine hotel for 3-4 hours with negative PCR test results from the last 48 hours and then taken back to the quarantine hotel after treatment. The responsibility for the person taken from the quarantine hotel will belong entirely to the Managing Director of the IVF Centre. The letter of undertaking prepared for each person to be taken from the quarantine hotels to the IVF centre will be signed by the Responsible Manager and these forms will be submitted to the Ministry of Health Coordination Board when applying for a treatment permit.
– It has been deemed appropriate for professional artists to perform their theatre/concert/exhibition works/rehearsals in accordance with the hygiene rule. Performances will be held with a maximum of one third of the halls’ capacity. Social distancing and mask rules will be observed in the halls. All those who will work in the halls should have negative PCR tests performed within the last 48 hours. The letter of undertaking forms to be prepared for these sectors will be signed. One third of indoor areas can be used.
– Museums will be able to start their services by paying maximum attention to social distance, mask and hygiene rules. In order to ensure social distancing, the museums must place signs at the entrances of their businesses stating the m2 area and the total number of people, including employees, who can be in the museum at any one time.
– It was deemed appropriate for lessons provided by music/ballet instructors to start provided that they are one-to-one lessons. Instructors will repeat their PCR tests every 7 days. There will only be individual lessons. No collective ballet, dance or music events will be held.
– It has been deemed appropriate to perform folk dancing activities in outdoor areas provided that mask and hygiene rules are followed.
– People will be allowed in on the basis that a maximum of one third of the cinema is used and that it is forbidden to eat and drink in the halls. People working in these sectors will repeat their PCR tests every 7 days. In addition, letters of undertaking will be signed by these sectors and if it is determined that the specified rules are not followed, the sectors will be closed.
– It has been deemed appropriate for non-contact, individual and outdoor sports activities and training, and competitions with spectators within the scope of social distancing rules (athletics, horse riding, archery, tennis, golf, triathlon, cycling, outdoor swimming, sailing, sports activities for all (bocce and orienteering), shooting, hunting (sportive events), air sports, motor and car races) to be held.
– Provided that they have their weekly PCR tests, it has been deemed appropriate for team sports training to be held in indoor and outdoor areas and to start competitions with spectators. For the competitions to be held in outdoor areas, spectators will be accepted within the scope of social distancing rules, and for the competitions to be held in indoor areas, spectators will be accepted by observing the social distancing rule and in such a way that a maximum of one-third of the area is used. The letter of undertaking to be prepared with the relevant federations will be signed.
– Swimming pools can be used by performance swimmers of sports clubs, training of licensed swimmers, and by disabled individuals for rehabilitation purposes. It has been deemed appropriate for outdoor swimming pools to operate within the scope of the specified rules.
– It has been deemed appropriate that training for boxing, wrestling and close combat sports should take place in outdoor areas or, if possible, in well-ventilated environments.

– People and technical teams who will take part in sports competitions must have PCR tests done within the last 72 hours.
– Indoor sports halls (fitness, individual) will be able to continue their activities within the framework of the conditions specified in the letter of undertaking. People working in gyms will repeat PCR tests every seven days. These gyms will be able to start providing a service from 06.00 onward. Dance schools, music and similar school and course activities will be held.
– It has been deemed appropriate that youth camps can be organized at half capacity by observing social distancing, mask and hygiene rules.
-It has been deemed appropriate for beaches to operate within the scope of the specified rules.
– It was decided that funerals can be held with the participation of only first-degree relatives, taking into account the social distancing rule.
– It is not appropriate to hold protest, demonstration and ceremonies in indoor areas; and it is permissible to hold protest, demonstration, and ceremonies in outdoor areas in compliance with the social distancing rule.
– Mass worship will be held in accordance with social distancing, mask and hygiene rules and using a maximum of one-third of the indoor area.
– It has been decided that engagements, weddings, wedding ceremonies, and circumcision ceremonies can be held in outdoor areas. The letter of undertaking form to be prepared will be signed.
– It has been deemed appropriate that amusement parks, festival areas, tombola and similar activities can be set up in outdoor areas, taking into account the social distancing rules.
– It has been decided that indoor children’s play areas and indoor games halls will be opened as of 03.06.2021 on the condition that workers sign the undertaking to be prepared and perform a PCR test once a week.
– Betting shops will be able to continue their activities within the framework of the conditions specified in the prepared letter of undertaking. One third of the indoor areas of betting shops will be able to be operated. Food will not be served at betting shops. People working in these sectors will repeat their antigen tests every seven days. In addition, a letter of undertaking will be signed by these sectors and if it is determined that the specified rules are not being adhered to, the sectors will be closed.
– People who enter internet cafes will be registered and will only be able to use the computers for a maximum of 2 hours. People working in these sectors will repeat their PCR tests every 7 days. In addition, these sectors will sign a letter of undertaking and if is established that the specified rules are being broken, they will be closed.
– It has been decided that people who will work in night clubs will start their activities provided that they remain in central quarantine for 14 days upon entering the country.