The Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases has announced the following rules and decisions in line with the latest epidemiological situation in the TRNC.
As of 01.03.2022, all individuals above the age of 18 who are fully vaccinated (not exceeding 270 days or nine months) or who have received their booster shots will be allowed to enter the country without the need to present a negative PCR or rapid test. A person is accepted as fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving their second dose (single dose in case of Johnson and Johnson).
Individuals under the age of 18 who have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine (single dose of Johnson & Johnson) will be exempt from the PCR/rapid test requirement as of March 1.
Persons who have had Covid-19 and recovered at least 10 days before their arrival will also be exempt from the PCR/rapid test requirement. Such persons will benefit from the exemption for 180 days.
As for unvaccinated individuals, such persons will be required to present a negative PCR test carried out in the last 72 hours or a rapid test carried out in the last 24 hours before entering the country. They will be exempt from quarantine but will be required to carry out a PCR test 72 hours and 120 hours after their arrival.
The requirement at crossing points will be revised following a meeting of the bicommunal technical Committee for Health on March 2.
As of March 1, all fully vaccinated employees and staff, except for those working at schools, education centres, nursing homes and the central prison, will not be required to carry out weekly rapid tests.
Non-vaccinated individuals will continue to be required to carry out rapid tests every 72 hours.
Businesses will be allowed to operate indoors at a 75 per cent capacity. The wearing of masks indoors continues to be mandatory.
The contact protocol at schools has also been revised. Students who come into contact with other students who have tested positive will be allowed to resume classes following a negative PCR test without the need to isolate.
The vaccinations for all children starting age 5 is continuing.