The Cypriot health ministry published a 30-page decree on Monday amending the government’s controversial Safe Pass, essentially making rules stricter starting Tuesday morning on July 20 through July 31.

A Safe Pass legally requires people over the age of 12 to have in possession physical proof they have been vaccinated with at least one dose three weeks prior, tested negative for the coronavirus during a rapid or PCR test conducted in the last 72 hours, or officially cleared by state authorities no more than six months since the last time they tested positive for COVID.

Starting Tuesday morning at 5am, retail stores including supermarkets are no longer accessible without a Safe Pass or EU Covid Digital Certificate, along with indoor and outdoor spaces where over 20 people can gather when social distancing rules are in place.

Safe Pass is not required for mini markets, convenience stores, standalone small shops, or small stores within shopping malls where the total number of people including employees does not reach above 20.

Public transportation is also affected by the general Safe Pass rule, along with dining and entertainment establishments where seated guests may not exceed 10 at each table. But guests can get up and dance only when stricter Safe Pass rules are in place, namely establishments allowing in only vaccinated or recovered guests but explicitly not accepting negative rapid or PCR tests.

The measures came after daily cases passed the 1000 mark last week, while infections weeks prior had gradually jumped from double into triple digits following reports of chains of infection discovered in graduation parties, weddings, camps, and other social events.

While the decree was initially published in Greek on Monday late afternoon, an English full version is also expected to be available here. 

The government has been on an information campaign since late last month to boost vaccinations among young adults, while incentives and counterincentives towards that goal have also been announced.

Health officials and experts said vaccines not only could protect people from serious illness but they were also the only way to get quickly back to normality.

The latest data were taken into account according to the health ministry, with Monday’s decree saying 69.8% of eligible persons have received their first dose of the vaccine by 18 July, with 59.2% being doubly vaccinated.

Source: Knews