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 Wednesday.

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.

-Night time curfew will start from from 10:00pm to 5:00am on Monday to Saturday starting from Monday, May, 17, 2021.

-As from Monday, May, 17, 2021, retail and merchandising services and all services / sectors not specified as closed will open between 8:30am and 9:00pm; restaurants, cafes, patisseries and taverns will serve between 10:00am and 9:30pm.

-Markets will open between 7:00am and 9:00pm on week days.

-If conditions improves, night time curfew will be between 11:00pm and 5:00am for all days of the week starting from May, 27, 2021. 

-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 May, 24, 2021, will not be able to enter the country until a second decision is taken.

-Live music can be played in restaurants open areas, patisseries, cafes and taverns from May, 17, 2021.

-Musicians who will make live music will repeat PCR tests every seven days.

-The wristband and home quarantine criteria have been expanded to include people over 60 and children under 18. 

-People who have contact with a Covid-19 positive person that require quarantine will be subject to quarantine for 10 days. At the end of 10 days, if the PCR test to be taken from the contact persons is negative, the isolation periods will be terminated.

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 9:00pm as from Monday, May, 17, 2021.

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. 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, 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 an empty one and a full one.

-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, commitment to business owners in public transport and taxi enterprises engaged in public transport form will be signed. Detection of noncompliance with the rules specified in the commitment forms.

-In the event of a case, criminal proceedings will be applied to them in accordance with the relevant legislation. 

2. 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 line with square meters, and to apply hygiene and disinfection conditions both inside the workplace and in the entrances and exits, and it is the responsibility of the employer to take and implement these measures. 

3. In public and private schools, it has been deemed appropriate for the 12th grade to continue their face-to-face education. Schools will be screened with antigen tests. 

4. 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. 

5. 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. 

6. It has been deemed appropriate for people residing in Southern Cyprus and transiting to Northern Cyprus for treatment purposes, if they document their appointments at the border gates, they submit the negative PCR test results within the last 3 days, without daily quarantine. However, the patient and his accompanying doctor who are transferring for health purposes are required to show the current date prescription, report and invoice to be obtained from the doctor / hospital. 

7. 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 any of them. 

8. 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. 

9. Without quarantine, ambulances will be able to transit through the Yeşilırmak Border Gate for health purposes. In addition, in the last 7 days of people with Kato Pyrgos; Those who will transit through the TRNC for other reasons were deemed appropriate to transit without stopping anywhere, with the PCR test results they had done in the last 3 days. 

10. Persons residing or working in Pile will be able to pass daily without quarantine, provided that they submit the negative PCR test results that they have done in the last 7 days. In addition, in order to meet the needs of people residing in Pile, in case the employees 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 negative PCR test results within the last 48 hours.

11. 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.

12. When diplomats are not with them, diplomatic mission drivers will be able to enter up to 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.

13. It was decided that funerals would be held with the participation of only first degree relatives, taking into account the social distance rule.

14. It is appropriate not to hold demonstrations, rallies and ceremonies in closed areas, and to hold open events, rallies and ceremonies with a maximum of 150 people.

15. 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.

16. Those who reside in the North and work in Southern Cyprus or work in the North of Southern Cyprus will be able to make a daily pass without quarantine, provided that they submit the negative PCR test results within the last 7 days.

17. 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.

18. It has been decided not to hold mass meetings and iftar meals in our country.  

19. 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 people 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). 

20. Hotels, which will make 3-night indoor hotel tourism and sign the prepared commitments, on the condition that they are 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. 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 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 organize 6 flights on 12.05.2021 and 4 flights charter on 13.05.2021 for a one-off 3-night indoor hotel tourism due to the Ramadan Feast. 

21. It has been deemed appropriate for the people residing in Beyarmudu to make a daily pass without quarantine in order to fulfill their livestock and agriculture activities in the Buffer Zone and the Bases Region. 

22. 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. Live music can be played in open areas of restaurants, patisseries, cafes and taverns from 17.05.2021. Musicians who will make live music will repeat PCR 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.  

23. Maximum one-third of the outdoor and indoor areas of coffeehouses, cafeterias, 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 the sectors may be closed if it is determined that the specified rules are not followed.  

24. People working in grocery stores, retail and merchandising services will repeat the PCR or antigen tests every seven days. 

25. 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 the sectors may be closed if it is determined that the specified rules are not followed.  

26. 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. 

27. 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). 

28. 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 competitions without spectators as of 17.05.2021. The undertaking to be prepared with the relevant federations will be signed. 

29. Training of performance swimmers and licensed swimmers of sports clubs and disabled individuals for rehabilitation purposes can be carried out in swimming pools. It has been deemed appropriate for the swimming pools in the open area to operate within the scope of the rules specified in Annex-1. 

30. It has been deemed appropriate for the beaches to work within the scope of the rules specified in Annex-2. 

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 people residing in our country who 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,

- Always keeping doors and windows 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 Responsible Manager 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;

- People over the age of 60

- Children under 18 years of age

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 failure 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 action 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 must 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 teach one-on-one. 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 contract to be signed. 

41. Apprentice students have been deemed appropriate to start their education in the workplace 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, 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 who will take part in night clubs remain in central quarantine for 14 days upon entering the country.  

44. It has been 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. 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. 

46 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. 

47. 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. 

48. People who have contact with a Covid-19 positive person in our country that require quarantine will be subject to quarantine for 10 days. At the end of 10 days, if the PCR test result to be taken from the contact persons is negative, the isolation periods will be terminated. 

ANNEX 1

Rules to be Followed in Swimming Pools in Open Areas

• It should be ensured that the chlorine level and pH of the pool water comply with the levels specified in the "Regulation on the Health Principles of Swimming Pools", it should be measured and recorded periodically. It is recommended that the pools be chlorinated to the highest possible value.
• Work should be done to keep the chlorine level at an appropriate value during high temperature hours when the chlorine level is likely to drop.
• Fever measurements are made at the entrance to the pool area. Those who have a fever above 38 degrees, cough, runny nose, and shortness of breath cannot use the pool.
• A personnel responsible for the operation of the pools is determined.
• The capacity of the pool areas is determined to be one person per 4 square meters.
• The social distance in the pool area is 1.5 meters. The distance between the lounge chairs and sunbeds should also be at least 1.5 meters.
• In order to prevent excessive crowding in these areas, the pool capacity information is posted on the entrance of the area. A simple warning / blocker is placed to prevent entry.
• People without a mask are not allowed into the pool area. Site residents and employees must be wearing masks.
• It is mandatory for every guest to provide hand hygiene at the entrance of the pool. Hand sanitizer is kept at the entrance of the pool and in suitable places.
• Social distance rules are followed. People in the same family can coexist.
• Before entering the swimming pool, users take a shower and disinfect hands and feet.
• Since COVID-19 will increase the risk of contact, you cannot stay in pools for a long time.
• No fabric mattresses are used on the sun loungers. If washable / wipeable cushions are used, they are cleaned after guest use is over.
• Social distance is taken into consideration in the use of changing cabins. Cabins are cleaned after each use.
• People should be encouraged to bring / use their own beach towels. For those who do not bring with them, towels are provided to the guest in bags or by a staff member. Towel etc. textile products are washed at at least 60 degrees.
• When touching the plastic and steel surfaces in these areas, the face, eyes, mouth and nose are not touched, hands are washed with soap and water or hand sanitizer is used when touched.
• Disinfection and microbiological quality tests of the pools are carried out regularly in accordance with the legislation.
• Collective activities, exercise, diving lessons etc. in the pools. applications are not made.
• Materials such as goggles, snorkels and fins are not shared. Beverage cabinets and seating groups are cleaned and disinfected frequently. In addition to these, hand sanitizer is kept easily accessible.
• In case of providing cafe and restaurant services, it operates according to the rules determined previously regarding these sectors.
• Since it will be difficult for children to maintain social distance, these areas are used under parental supervision.
• General cleaning of these areas is done regularly with water and detergent every day. Dust-generating sweeping or high-pressure water or chemical spraying is not applied.
• Banners containing the rules and precautions to be followed regarding COVID-19 should be placed in visible places in the pool areas.
• Entrance doors to toilet areas should be turned into an automatic door system. If this is not possible, the handles of the entrance doors to the toilet area are frequently disinfected.
• Floors of toilets, toilet bowls, urinals, sinks, faucet and tap heads, door handles are frequently cleaned and disinfected.
• Banners on hand hygiene and hand washing are hung in the toilet entrances.
• Cleaning hours of toilets and sinks are recorded and posted visibly.
• Liquid soap, toilet paper and paper towels are always kept in the toilets. Air dryers are not used.

Annex 2

Rules to be Followed at Beaches

• Guests without a mask are not allowed on the beaches. It is mandatory for guests and employees to wear masks in the beach and swimming areas.
• At least one personnel responsible for the entire operation of the beach and swimming area is always present.
• It is mandatory for every guest to provide hand hygiene when entering the beach. Hand sanitizer is available at the beach entrance and in suitable places.
• Personnel with symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath and case-contact personnel cannot be employed. Guests showing these symptoms cannot use the beach and swimming areas.
• Measures are taken to keep the social distance between people at least 1.5 meters in the beach and swimming area.
• The distance between the sunbeds is set at least 1.5 meters. The distance between the canopy is arranged to be suitable for the distance between the sunbeds.
• The capacity of the beach and swimming areas is determined as one person per 4 square meters.
• Arrangements are made in lounges in accordance with social distance rules. Capacity is determined as one person per 2 square meters in the lodge areas.
• Social distance rules are followed. People in the same family or guests staying in the same room in hotels can coexist.
• In order to prevent crowding in the beach area, the capacity is determined according to social distance and size. Capacity information is posted on the beach entrance. Measures are taken to ensure that more than capacity guests do not use the area.
• No fabric mattresses are used on the sun loungers. If washable / wipeable cushions are used, they are cleaned after guest use is over.
• Social distance is taken into consideration in the use of changing cabins. Cabins are cleaned after each use.
• People should be encouraged to bring / use their own beach towels. For those who do not bring with them, towels are provided to the guest in bags or by a staff member. Towel etc. textile products are washed at at least 60 degrees.
• Beverage cabinets and seating groups are cleaned and disinfected frequently. In addition to these, hand sanitizer is kept easily accessible.
• In case of providing cafe and restaurant services, it operates according to the rules determined previously regarding these sectors.
• Group activities are not held. Water sports activities can be done individually or in the family together with spouses and children. Those staying in the same room can do sports together, provided that the reservation and follow-up is made through the room number.
• After the use of sports equipment and tools, all kinds of materials and equipment should be cleaned with water and detergent and frequently touched surfaces should be disinfected.
• Paragliding etc. Half of the boat capacity, including employees, are recruited for individual water sports activities.
• Tubes, balance vests, lifejackets and similar equipment used in underwater and above water sports activities for tourism purposes are only used by one person during the activity and disinfected after use.
• The posters containing the rules and precautions to be followed regarding COVID-19 in beaches and swimming areas should be placed in visible places.
• Entrance doors to toilet areas should be turned into an automatic door system. If this is not possible, the handles of the entrance doors to the toilet area are frequently disinfected.
• Floors of toilets, toilet bowls, urinals, sinks, faucets and tap heads, door handles are frequently cleaned and disinfected.
• Hand hygiene and hand washing are posted at the toilet entrances.
• Cleaning hours of toilets and sinks are recorded and posted visibly.
• Liquid soap, toilet paper and paper towels are always kept in the toilets. Air dryers are not used.