Full details of revised Covid-19 restrictions/measures

The new decisions were taken by the Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases which convened within the scope of the Ministry of Health Infectious Diseases Law on Thursday.

Here are the decisions:
In line with the Decisions taken by the Committee for Infectious Diseases under the Infectious Diseases Law 45/2018, the Ministry of Health has decided to implement the following Additional Precautionary Decisions.

-Curfew will continue between 9:00pm to 5:00am on Monday-Saturday and between 9:00pm on Saturday to 5:00am on Monday, May, 17, 2021.

-There will be full lockdown on Sunday, May, 16, 2021, except to meet essential needs. All businesses and activities will be closed, except for pharmacies, bakeries, gas stations, agriculture, animal husbandry and industrial enterprises connected to them.

-Markets will open between 7:00am and 8:00pm on week days.

-Retail and merchandising services and all services / sectors not specified as closed will open between 8:30am and 8:00pm; restaurants, cafes, patisseries and taverns will serve between 10:00am and 8:30pm.

-Unless the epidemiological situation changes, night time curfew will start from 10:30pm to 5:00am for all days of the week from May, 27, 2021.

-From May, 12, 2021, charter flights will increase to 6 a day and 4 on May, 13, 2021, on a one-time basis due to the Ramadan Bairam holiday.

-Playgrounds operations, luna parks and thematic parks remains suspended for the duration of the Ramadan Bairam holiday. 

-Families are urged to minimize family visits during the three-day Ramadan Bairam (holiday) to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Families are advised to limit gatherings to immediate family members.

-Live music performances at cafes, restaurants, parks and other venues (indoors and outdoors) remains suspended until May, 27, 2021 to reduce the amount of time spent by customers at such venues. Live music performances will be allowed to resume as of May, 27, 2021 unless the epidemiological situation changes.      

-Nightclubs will be able to open from May, 27, 2021. It was decided that people who will work in night clubs will start their activities as of May, 27, 2021, provided that they remain in central quarantine for 14 days.

-Weddings, engagement parties or similar events will be allowed as of May, 27, 2021 unless the current epidemiological situation changes. 

-It has been deemed appropriate to allow people who have been in the Netherlands, Brazil, India, Ukraine, Serbia and Africa in the last 14 days to enter the country, provided that they remain in quarantine for 14 days.  

Closed Places;
-Cinema halls, engagement-wedding halls, birthdays, mevlids, casinos, bars, taverns, hookah cafes and lounges, all kinds of game halls, indoor playgrounds, internet cafes, massage parlors, spa, open buffet restaurants, night clubs, club, Turkish bath, saunas.

Open Places;
All institutions and organizations will return to their normal working order within the framework of pandemic rules.

Supply chain activity including order taking, shelf arrangement and display will operate between 8:00am and 8:00pm.

In open businesses, an arrangement will be made so that the total number of customers and employees will be 1 person per 5 m2 maximum. In order to protect the social distance, these enterprises will be made to place a notice at the entrances of the enterprises regarding the m2 areas and how many people can be in the enterprise, including employees.

Decisions Taken;

1. It has been decided to remove controlled passes to Lefke-Güzelyurt-İskele-Famagusta districts. 
2. Public transportation will be available in all districts within and between districts. Bus, minibus, taxi etc. Passengers will not be admitted to the driver's side of the vehicles engaged in transportation. In buses, minibuses and minibuses, the passengers will be transported with a seating arrangement so that the back seat of the passengers' driver's seat is empty and 50% capacity will be operated with one empty and one full.

Windows will be open during the journey, air conditioning will not be used and everyone in the vehicle will wear a mask. Vehicles will be disinfected after each time.

In addition, a commitment form 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 commitment forms are not complied with, criminal action will be imposed on them in accordance with the relevant legislation.

3. It is obligatory to comply with the social distance rule in all open institutions and workplaces, to make markings in order to maintain the social distance to these workplaces in accordance with square meters, and to apply hygiene and disinfection conditions both inside the workplace and at the entrances and exits, and it is the responsibility of the employer to take and implement these measures.
4. In public and private schools, it has been deemed appropriate that all pre-school, primary and secondary education (except 12th grade) (including classroom, study, private lessons and course activities) continue online until the next decision. Schools will be screened with antigen tests. 
5. Teachers and staff working in kindergartens (3,4,5 years old) and 12th grades will repeat antigen tests every seven days at the specified stations.
6. It has been deemed appropriate for people residing in Northern Cyprus and transiting to Southern Cyprus for treatment purposes, if they document their appointments at the border gates, they can cross to Southern Cyprus without daily quarantine. The patient and his attendant (if necessary) who will be transferring for health purposes are required to submit the negative PCR test results made within the last 3 days upon arrival. Patients and accompanying persons returning to our country after treatment are required to present a current dated prescription, report or invoice to be obtained from the doctor / hospital when they enter the country. In addition, on the seventh and fourteenth days of their entry into the country, they must perform the PCR tests again and submit the results to our Ministry.
7. It has been deemed appropriate for people residing in Southern Cyprus and transiting to Northern Cyprus for treatment purposes, if they document their appointment at the border gates, they submit the negative PCR test results within the last 3 days without a daily quarantine application. However, the patient and his attendant doctor / hospital must show the current date prescription, report and invoice to be transferred for health purposes.
8. It is deemed appropriate that the truck drivers with license plates in Southern Cyprus, who need to cross to Northern Cyprus to buy goods from Southern Cyprus, should have a daily pass with the PCR test result they have done in the last 72 hours, without anyone.
9. Within the scope of the Green Line Regulation, it has been deemed appropriate for people doing business in Southern Cyprus to trade without quarantine until 20:00 daily, provided that they submit their official documents regarding trade. Trade persons are required to submit negative PCR tests within the last 7 days.
10. Without quarantine, ambulances will be able to transit through the Yeşilırmak Border Gate for health purposes only. Crossings other than this will be subject to quarantine.
11. Persons residing or working in Pile will be able to make a daily pass without quarantine, provided that they submit negative PCR test results within the last 7 days. In addition, in order to meet the needs of people residing in Pile, if the employees of the enterprises operating in our country request a transition to Pile, it has been deemed appropriate for the employees to make a daily transition if they submit the negative PCR test results made within the last 48 hours.
12. UN, EU, British Bases, Buffer Zone, Missing Persons and Peace Corps employees will be able to enter without quarantine, provided that they submit negative PCR test results within the last 7 days.
13. 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, etc. without quarantine, provided that they submit the negative PCR test results made in the last 7 days.
14. It was decided that funerals would be held with the participation of only first degree relatives, taking into account the social distance rule.
15. It is recommended that protests, rallies and ceremonies not be held in indoor and outdoor areas due to the number of cases seen in our country. 
16. Birthdays, engagements, parties, picnics, etc. activities are strictly prohibited in open and closed areas. All kinds of socializing activities in the house will be limited to a maximum of 10 people. If it is determined otherwise, necessary legal action will be initiated.
17. Those who reside in the North and work in Southern Cyprus or work in the North who reside in Southern Cyprus will be able to go on a daily pass without quarantine, provided that they submit the negative PCR test results within the last 7 days.
18. Barbers, hairdressers, beauty salons and tattoo studios / salons will continue their work between 07:00 and 20:00. People working in these sectors will repeat antigen tests every seven days. In addition, the prepared commitment forms will be signed and businesses that are found not to comply with the specified rules will be closed.
19. It has been decided not to hold mass meetings and iftar meals in our country. 
20. Considering the quarantine capacity, the Ministry of Finance will accept passengers on flights to our country with a maximum of 4 flights per day and a maximum of 200 people on each flight, provided that the persons coming to our country remain in quarantine, and a maximum of 2 flights per day and each time It is deemed necessary to accept passengers with 75 people (excluding soldiers).
21. Hotels, which will make 3-night indoor hotel tourism and sign the prepared commitments, on the condition of being subject to the application of wristbands with charter flights, will not accept customers from outside, neither for the purpose of accommodation nor for the use of restaurants, cafes, etc.in the hotel. It is forbidden for TRNC citizens to come with charter flights. In this context , it has been deemed appropriate to organize a maximum of 6 flights per week for indoor hotel tourism . Hotel staff will repeat the PCR tests every seven days. Hotel staff will be able to leave the hotel 2 days after the customers leave the hotel after their PCR tests are negative. Suppliers, on the other hand, will provide materials without any contact with the people in the hotel.

In addition, it was deemed appropriate to arrange 6 flights on 12.05.2021 and 4 flights charter flights on 13.05.2021 for one-off 3-night indoor hotel tourism due to the Ramadan Feast .

22. It has been deemed appropriate for the people residing in Beyarmudu to make a daily pass without quarantine in order to carry out their livestock and agriculture activities in the Buffer Zone and the Bases Region.
23. A maximum of one third of the outdoor and indoor areas of restaurants, patisseries, cafes and taverns will continue to be used. However, hookah will not be used in the specified sectors. People working in these sectors will repeat 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 complied with, the sectors may be closed. 
24. Maximum one-third of the outdoor and indoor areas of coffeehouses, cafes, cafeterias and clubs will continue to be used. However, games will not be played in the specified sectors (paper, okey, etc.), and hookah, if any, will not be used. People working in these sectors will repeat 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 complied with, the sectors may be closed. 
25. In order to minimize the duration of stay in indoor and outdoor areas and to reduce the risk of contamination, it has been decided not to perform live music in the relevant enterprises (cafe, restaurant, tavern, park, etc.) until 27.05.2021. Unless a contrary decision is made according to the number of cases seen in our country, live music will be performed in the relevant enterprises as of 27.05.2021.
26. Bet offices will be able to continue their activities within the framework of the conditions specified in the letter of undertaking. One third of the closed areas of the offices will be able to be operated. Food service will not be provided at Bet offices. People working in these sectors will repeat 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 complied with, the sectors may be closed. 
27. It has been decided that special education centers will continue their activities. People working in special education centers will repeat PCR tests every seven days.
28. Non-contact, individual and outdoor sports activities, training and spectator-free competitions (athletics, horse riding, archery, tennis, golf, triathlon, cycling, outdoor swimming, sailing, sports activities for all (bocce and orientric), shooting, hunting (sportive events), air sports, motor and car races).
29. Provided that they do the weekly PCR tests, it has been deemed appropriate to train the team sports to be held in indoor and outdoor areas and to start the competition without spectators on 17.05.2021. The undertaking to be prepared with the relevant federations will be signed.
30. Performance swimmers of sports clubs, licensed swimmers and disabled individuals for rehabilitation purposes can be trained in swimming pools.
31. It has been deemed appropriate to allow people who have been in the Netherlands, Brazil, India, Ukraine, Serbia and Africa to enter the country in the last 14 days, provided that they remain in quarantine for 14 days.
32. Due to the increasing number of cases in India, Brazil, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Siera Leone and Cameroon, people who have been in these countries within the last 14 days starting from 24.05.2021 and want to come to our country (excluding TRNC citizens) will not be able to enter the country until a second decision will be taken. it has been decided to stop.
33. The transfers of those who reside in our country and want to go abroad via Southern Cyprus Larnaca Airport, and also want to come to our country via Southern Cyprus Larnaca Airport, will be made by T-permit taxis and touristic minibuses. Drivers who will make the said transfer 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 border gate they pass through. By ensuring all necessary hygiene conditions in these vehicles, they will be able to transfer with a maximum of 2 passengers in taxis with a "T" license, and a maximum of 4 passengers in vehicles with a touristic minibus license.

In transfers from Southern Cyprus to our country, the negative PCR test results made in the last three days will be submitted and the passengers brought with the knowledge of the border police will be transferred to the designated quarantine hotels.

In addition, the drivers will sign the commitment forms prepared within the scope of the above-mentioned rules. If it is determined that the specified rules are not complied with, the drivers will not be allowed to pass again.

34. It has been deemed appropriate that the national / international exams to be held in our country are carried out under the conditions stated below.

The persons and supervisors who will take the exam have negative PCR test results within the last 72 hours,

- Keeping doors and windows constantly open in order to ventilate the exam area,

- Persons entering the exam area to use their personal protective equipment during the exam,

- Arranging the tables in the exam area to comply with the social distance rules

-It has been deemed appropriate to do it provided that a disinfectant is placed at the entrance to the examination area.

35. Persons who will enter our country due to IVF treatment will be quarantined for 10-14 days, determined according to their country. People who are planned to go from quarantine hotels to IVF Centers for treatment will be taken from the quarantine hotel for 3-4 hours with negative PCR test results in the last 48 hours and then left to the quarantine hotel after treatment. The responsibility of the person taken from the quarantine hotel will belong entirely to the Managing Director of the IVF Center. The commitment form prepared for each person to be taken from the quarantine hotels and taken to the IVF center 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.
36. 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 halls will be able to start serving from 06:00. Dance schools, music and similar school and course activities will not be held.
37. According to the wristband and home quarantine criteria determined by the Ministry of Health;

Seniors over the age of 70

-Children under 12 years old

Atherosclerotic heart disease, heart failure

Patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy

- Cancer patients - those who have received chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the last 6 months

Those who have had a minor operation within 1 month

Those who have had a major operation within 3 months

People with physical and mental disabilities

People with neurodegenerative diseases

Autism spectrum,

- Psychiatric Cases diagnosed more than the last 3 months (report and treatment should be arranged by a specialist psychiatrist.)

Living with a colostomy bag and permanent urinary catheter

People with end-stage renal disease who need dialysis

-Organ and stem cell transplant patients

-Pregnancy

- TRNC citizen students studying abroad

Persons who are deemed appropriate to spend their quarantine periods at their homes with wristbands will go to their residential addresses they have committed to spend their quarantine period for 10-14 days, either by their own vehicles (without someone else in their vehicles) or by public transport, taxi, touristic minibus authorized vehicles determined by the Ministry of Finance. .

- It is recommended that people who do not comply with the home quarantine rules are sent to central quarantine, people pay their quarantine fees themselves and initiate criminal proceedings in accordance with the relevant legislation.

38. It has been deemed appropriate for professional artists to perform their theater / concert / exhibition work / rehearsals in accordance with the hygiene rule. The performances will be held with a maximum of one third of the halls occupied. Solanda social distance, mask rule will be followed. Everyone who will work in the hall should have negative PCR tests performed within the last 48 hours. The commitment forms to be prepared for these sectors will be signed. One third of its closed areas can be used.
39. It was deemed appropriate to start the lessons provided that the music / ballet instructors give one-on-one lessons. Instructors will repeat PCR tests every 7 days. There will only be individual lessons. There will be no ballet, dance or music events to be held collectively.
40. Libraries will be able to continue their activities within the framework of the rules specified in the commitment to be signed.
41. Apprentice students are deemed appropriate to start their education at workplaces depending on the sectors opened. The rules applied in the specified sectors will also apply to apprentice students.
42. According to the number of cases seen in our country, it has been decided that engagement, wedding, wedding, circumcision ceremonies to be held in the open area within the framework of the rules specified in the commitment letter to be prepared in case of a contrary decision. The commitment forms to be prepared will be signed.
43. It has been decided to start night clubs activities as of 27.05.2021, provided that the persons to be assigned to the night clubs remain in central quarantine for 14 days upon entering the country. 
44. It was decided to establish an automation system in order to make contact tracking more effective and faster, and studies have been initiated in this direction.
45. Due to the planned establishment of Eid al-Fitr feast place, amusement park, was deemed appropriate to make the festival area so events . In addition, the ability to hold or establish such events will be re-evaluated in the coming days according to the number of cases in our country.
46. In this period when the number of cases decreased in our country, it was decided to celebrate Feast and family visits only within the scope of the nuclear family in order to prevent the increase of transmission again, to save the future and to protect our families.  
47. As of 17.05.2021, it has been deemed appropriate for sea cruise boats to serve as one third of their capacity. Staff on the tour boat will repeat the PCR tests every seven days. In addition, the letter of undertaking to be prepared will be signed and legal action will be taken against those who are found to be not complying with the specified rules.
48. It was deemed appropriate for people working in internet cafes to have their PCR tests performed in order to be screened until 17.05.2021, and it was decided to open internet cafes on 18.05.2021. People who log into internet cafes will be recorded and people will be able to use the computers for a maximum of 2 hours. The undertaking forms to be prepared with these sectors will be signed and the workplace that is found to be not complied with the specified rules may be closed.
49. The issue of double PCR negativity and double vaccination entry into the country without quarantine will be re-evaluated as of June 10, 2021, according to the current epidemiological data of the future country (number of cases, test positivity, risk status, etc.) and also taking into account the vaccination rate in our country. 
50. Since 09.05.2021 is the Mother's Day on Sunday, it has been deemed appropriate for florists to serve only once, online ordering and delivery at the door.