TRNC Ministry of Health Revised COVID-19 Restrictions/Measures 26.03.2021
The following revised decisions have been adopted by the Council of Ministers in line with recommendations of the Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases. The following revised decisions will be implemented between 29.03.2021 to 05.04.2021 – A night-time curfew between 10 pm and 5 am will be in place from Monday to Saturday. A full-day curfew (except to meet essential needs) will be in place from Saturday 10 pm to Monday 5 am. – All businesses and activities, except for pharmacies, petrol stations, bakeries (production only), livestock and related enterprises will be closed on Sunday 04.04.2021. From Monday – Saturday: – Markets will be open between 8 am and 9 pm. (Including Saturdays) – Retail and merchandising services (except supermarkets and workplaces supplying all sectors) will be open between 10 am and 9 pm. Establishments that will remain closed: – Theatres and cinemas, performance centres, concert halls, engagement-wedding halls, casinos, bars, tavernas, shisha cafes, internet cafes, all kinds of game halls, indoor children’s playgrounds, massage parlours, spas, open buffet restaurants, night clubs, clubs, Turkish baths and saunas. Establishments that will be open: – All businesses and activities that are not stated implicitly may be open under the conditions stated below. – There will be no trying on of clothing at stores. – Businesses will be allowed to take orders, restock or rearrange shelves, conduct sales and distribute between 8 am and 9 pm. – Open businesses will make arrangements that will limit the total number of customers and employees. The arrangement must be made so that the total number of customers and employees will be one person per – To maintain social distancing, these enterprises will be required to put up informative signs at entrances regarding the total number of customers and employees which can be allowed at any given time. Also, businesses that provide services will work on a rotational basis or with reduced personnel. – Regarding PCR tests; all businesses/establishments/institutions except for the ones stated in the – Open sectors will be inspected by District Police Boards. Sectors or businesses which flout rules will be shut down. – Businesses will have to sign consent forms and will be subject to legal prosecution if they fail to comply with the guidelines set Decisions adopted; 1. Since the prevalence of infection is less in Lefke-Güzelyurt-İskele-Gazimağusa districts and to prevent the spread of infection to these districts, it has been deemed appropriate that the passage from Lefkoşa and Girne districts to the above-mentioned districts are controlled by the District Police Boards. There is no ban 2. Regarding public transport; – Bus services within Lefke and Güzelyurt districts and between the two districts will be allowed to operate. – Bus services within İskele and Gazimağusa and between the two districts will be allowed to operate. – Bus services between Lefkoşa and Girne will not be allowed. Bus services will only be allowed to operate within each district. – Transporting passengers via taxi to other districts (Lefke, Güzelyurt, İskele, Gazimağusa) from Girne or Lefkoşa will be subject to permission. No bus, minibus or shuttle services will be allowed from Girne or Lefkoşa to any of the other districts. No passengers may be seated next to bus drivers. The seat behind the bus driver must be left empty. Buses will only be allowed to operate at 50% capacity. Windows must remain open, and all passengers are required to wear masks during transit. Air-conditioning cannot be turned on. All buses will be 3. Implementing social distancing rules, providing signs and markings to ensure social distancing as well as applying hygiene and disinfection conditions both inside the workplace and at entrances and exits falls 4. There will be no face-to-face or in-class education (except for Grade 12 students) at public or private pre-school, primary and secondary education until April 2, 2021. Schools will continue with online or 5. It has been deemed appropriate for people residing in the TRNC but receiving medical treatment in South Cyprus, to cross for daily visits without quarantine as long as they document their appointments at 6. It has been deemed appropriate for people residing in South Cyprus but receiving treatment in the TRNC, to cross for daily visits without quarantine as long as they present proof of their appointments and a valid PCR test carried out within the last 72 hours. 7. Within the scope of the Green Line Regulation, it has been deemed appropriate for people who do contactless trade to carry out their transactions without quarantine, provided that they obtain permission from the district security boards. These individuals will be given daily permits that expire at 9 pm. Individuals carrying out trade will be required to undergo PCR testing every seven days. 8. It has been deemed appropriate for ambulances to pass through the Yeşilırmak crossing point without the need for quarantine. All other individuals are subject to quarantine. 9. People residing and working in Pile will be exempt from quarantine or will be allowed to cross daily provided that they submit their negative PCR test results carried out in the last seven days. Employees of sectors that supply basic commodities and services to businesses in Pile will be allowed to cross for daily visits provided they present a valid PCR test carried out in the last 24 hours. 10. Individuals working for the UN, EU, the Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) or UN peacekeepers are exempt from quarantine provided that they submit a negative PCR test result carried out within the last seven days. 11. Drivers of diplomatic missions (diplomats excluded) will be required to present a valid PCR test carried out in the last seven days when not accompanying a diplomat. These individuals will be exempt from 12. Funerals will be held with the participation of first-degree relatives only. 13. Persons residing in the TRNC and working in South Cyprus or vice versa will be able to cross daily without quarantine, provided that they submit a valid PCR test carried out within the last 7 days. 14. Barbershops, hairdressers, beauty salons and tattoo studios will continue to operate between 7 am and 7 pm. Employees in these sectors will be required to repeat PCR tests every seven days and will sign consent forms. Businesses that breach health protocols will be shut down. 15. In light of the country’s quarantine capacity, daily flights to the TRNC have been limited to four per day. Each flight cannot exceed 200 passengers. Ferry services to the TRNC have been limited to two per day 16. It has been deemed appropriate for people residing in Beyarmudu to cross daily without quarantine to carry out livestock and agricultural activities in the UN buffer zone and base area. 17. Restaurants, patisseries, cafes, eateries and tavernas, in addition to takeaway and delivery services, will be allowed to continue serving sit-in customers in outdoor seating areas. However, smoking of shishas is forbidden. These establishments will sign consent forms and all venues which break health protocols will be shut. Establishments may be allowed to serve sit-in customers indoors at 1/3 capacity. 18. Coffeeshops, cafeterias and clubhouses will be allowed to continue operating on the condition they comply with social distancing rules. However, playing table games (cards, backgammon etc) or smoking of 19. Bet offices will continue to operate within the conditions set. These establishments will only allow customers indoors at 1/3 capacity. No food or drinks may be served to customers. 20. Special needs education centres will continue to operate. Staff and employees at these education centres will be required to repeat PCR tests every seven days. 21. Licensed and professional athletes can carry out non-contact and individual training outdoors. 22. Non-contact, individual sporting activities are permitted outdoors. 23. Professional and licensed swimmers or persons with disabilities are permitted to train. However, pools remain closed for classes. 24. Individuals with permanent or temporary residency permits who travelled from the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Brazil, Denmark and Africa in the last 14 days are allowed entry into the country, provided that they remain in state-monitored quarantine for 14 days. 25. Individuals residing in the TRNC but who wish to travel abroad via Larnaca Airport in South Cyprus or those wishing to come to the TRNC via Larnaca Airport will be able to do so via T-permit taxis or touristic minibuses. Drivers operating such services are required to present a valid PCR test carried out in the last 72 hours. These vehicles are required to cross back to the TRNC within three hours of their departure 26. International exams will be carried out under the conditions stated below. – Individuals sitting exams will be required to present a negative PCR test carried out in the last 24 hours. – Windows and doors at exam centres will remain open at all times. – All individuals in the exam room will be required to wear protective gear (visors or face masks). – Sitting arrangements will be done according to social distancing rules. – Disinfectants and sanitisers will be made available at the entrance of exam rooms. 27. Individuals arriving in the TRNC for IVF treatment will be accommodated at quarantine centres between 10-14 days. Individuals will be transported from quarantine hotels to IVF centres for 3-4 hours. These individuals will be required to carry out PCR tests 24 hours before their appointment. IVF centres will be entirely responsible for individuals transported from their quarantine hotel to the facilities and back. IVF centre directors will sign consent forms which will be subject to approval by the Health Ministry Coordination Council. 28. Gyms and fitness centres will be allowed to continue to operate within the framework of conditions set. Employees and trainers at gyms or fitness centres will be required to carry out PCR tests every seven days. Gym owners will be required to sign consent forms and any establishments which breach health protocols will be shut down. 29. Teams will be allowed to resume training indoors as of 01.04.2021 on the condition that all players, trainers and team members carry out PCR tests every week. Training sessions will be closed to the public. The relevant federations will sign consent forms. 30. Mass rallies, meetings or ceremonies cannot be carried out indoors. All rallies, meetings or gatherings to be carried out outdoors must be carried out under social distancing rules. All demonstrators or participants are required to wear face masks. 31. For home isolation (quarantine) to begin; – The health ministry will determine the necessary criteria, will establish an electronic bracelet/monitoring system, will step up controls, will establish a monitoring team, will implement fines or penalties in line with the Law on Infectious Diseases and will move all individuals violating home isolation rules to quarantine centres. These individuals will be forced to pay for their own accommodation. 32. The electronic bracelet/monitoring system will need to be implemented to allow three-day closed-circuit hotel tourism to begin on April 12, 2021. Work has also been launched to prepare a calendar for other tourism sectors. 33. Professional actors or stage performers/artists/musicians are allowed to rehearse individually. Plays/concerts will be allowed to perform online but all performers or actors on stage will be required to provide a negative PCR test in the last 24 hours. 34. Music instructors will be allowed to resume one-on-one private lessons. Instructors will be required to undergo PCR testing every seven days. |