Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Nicosia (March 31, 2020)
Location: Cyprus
Event: Health Alert – Cyprus
The U.S. Embassy will hold a Facebook Live chat with Ambassador Judith G. Garber on Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 13:30. Please visit the U.S. Embassy Nicosia’s Facebook page for further details.
Republic of Cyprus
On Monday, March 30, the Republic of Cyprus announced further enhancements to its emergency declaration of March 23. Until at least April 13, 2020:
- A curfew is in effect from 21:00 to 06:00 except for people holding a relevant employee movement certificate.
- Permission for additional necessary movement must be requested via SMS and will only be approved once per day (some additional movements are allowed, such as going to a pharmacy). Persons over age 65 are allowed to use the printed form.
- Gatherings of groups at homes are forbidden except for those living in the home.
- Markets (supermarkets, bakeries, butchers, etc.) will be closed on Sundays. Deliveries can continue.
- The spot fine for violating the controls is raised from 150 euro to 300 euro.
- Persons in self-isolation will be electronically monitored.
Official English language versions of the instructions regarding travel permission paperwork and the SMS system are available here: https://www.moh.gov.cy/moh/moh.nsf/All/0D5A0919CACA4BF8C225851B003E098C
Area Administered by Turkish Cypriots (“Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”)
On Sunday, March 29, the “Council of Ministers” announced enhancements to its emergency declaration. Until at least April 10, 2020:
- Individuals may only leave their residences to seek goods and services from essential personnel and businesses.
- All public sector employees except for the police force, fire department, health, civil aviation, finance and similar services will be under administrative leave.
- Private sector businesses except those which provide basic needs such as groceries, bakeries, gas stations, pharmacies, etc., will be closed.
- Pharmacy hours will be from 08:00 to 13:30, on-call pharmacies will be open until 01:30. Customers will be allowed inside in groups of three.
- The entry of all foreign nationals besides “TRNC citizens” and spouses and children of “TRNC citizens” through all land, sea, and airports is suspended.
The official English language version of the March 29 announcement is available here:
https://mfa.gov.ct.tr/council-of-ministers-decisions-taken-on-29-march-2020/
U.S. Citizens
As of March 16, 2020, U.S. Embassy Nicosia has suspended non-emergency U.S. citizen and visa services. U.S. citizens in Cyprus who require assistance should contact the Embassy using the contact information at the end of this Health Alert.
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel. Read the full text of the Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel.
U.S. citizens considering returning to the United States from Cyprus should work with their airlines to make travel arrangements when flights become available. U.S. citizens interested in returning to the United States should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and provide your name and contact information to our email address: CyprusUScitizen@state.gov so we can contact you when we have updates.
Your email message should include the following information:
Your full name as spelled in your passport
Information we can use to contact you now – a current phone number and email address.
Your date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY)
Your passport number, and its date of issuance and expiration. If it is not a U.S. passport, please note the country that issued it. Please also note any non-U.S. citizen immediate family members traveling with you.
Please note your current location (city and country) and any special needs you may have, such as medical issues.
U.S. citizens with questions or concerns regarding passport validity or expiry should email ACSNicosia@state.gov.
Updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is that all international travelers should stay home for 14 days from the time they returned from international travel. Updated guidance is available on the CDC website here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html
Actions to Take:
• Follow the instructions of the authorities.
• Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on latest conditions in Cyprus.
· Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
• Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19.
• Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
• Work with your airline, travel provider, or hotel/lodging directly regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
• Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
Assistance:
• U.S. Embassy Nicosia, Cyprus web page
+357 2239-3939 (after hours; wait for recorded message, then press 0)
Email: ACSNicosia@state.gov
• State Department – Consular Affairs Cyprus Country Information
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444