Cyprus Imposes Mandatory Covid PCR Test Requirement for All Arrivals

Photo source: @Cyprus Aeropolis – Larnaka and Pafos Airports Official

Travelers entering Cyprus by air or by sea, regardless of the country of departure, as of 6 December will be required to take a PCR test for Covid-19 on arrival.

The announcement was made by Cypriot Transport Minister Yannis Karousos on Thursday as part of measures to curb the coronavirus pandemic and safeguard the health system from increased hospitalizations of Covid-19 patients.

Furthermore, Karousos highlighted the need for the implementation of temporary measures at the country’s legal points of entry, due to the detection of the new Omicron variant in African and European countries.

The measure concerns all passengers aged 12 years and over, regardless of whether they hold a certificate of full vaccination or recovery from Covid-19.

The cost of the PCR examination will be borne by passengers themselves.

It is clarified that passengers entering the Republic from ports for a short visit must hold a negative PCR examination certificate valid for up to 72 hours. In addition, on arrival, they will be required to undergo rapid antigen tests, at the expense of the Republic of Cyprus.

The decision will enter into force on 6 December and remain in effect until 10 January, when it will be reassessed on the basis of the epidemiological data available.

For better surveillance and early detection of imported positive cases, PCR testing has already begun and will continue until 6 December through random checks on passengers, irrespective of the country of origin, entering the Republic of Cyprus via Larnaka and Pafos airports.