Coronavirus: Ministry sets up committee to look into special arrivals permits

The interior ministry on Tuesday said it has set up a special committee to look into applications for special entry permits for people coming from countries not included in categories A and B.

Eligible to seek special permits are first-degree relatives of people legally residing in the Republic and / or financially active in the Republic.

This also concerns people, regardless of nationality, whose arrival in the Republic is necessary for purposes of public works or for other professional obligations.

After obtaining a special permit from the committee, these persons must also secure the CyprusFlightPass via the online electronic platform.

The ministry pointed out, however, that all immigration formalities remain in place.

“For example, if a visa to enter the Republic or an entry and work permit, and so forth are required, they must be obtained from the competent authorities of the Republic,” the ministry said.

It called on people wishing to come to Cyprus “to take all necessary steps in a timely manner to secure all required approvals and permits.”

Applications for a special permit from the committee must be sent to: [email protected].

The two categories of countries deemed safer to receive visitors are:

Category A: Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, South Korea.

Category B: Belgium, France, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Jordan, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Romania, United Arab Emirates.

The lists are being constantly updated based on the epidemiological outlook in each of these countries.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.