Paphos, Cyprus
(Picture: Natalya Zaritskaya on Unsplash)Cyprus has become the latest country to announce it is relaxing its Covid rules in a boost for sun-seeking Britons.
The popular tourist spot will make it easier for unvaccinated Britons to visit alongside abolishing an outdoor face mask mandate.
Currently, unjabbed Britons are required to take a PCR test within 72 hours before travelling or a rapid lateral flow 24 hours before as well as a PCR test upon arrival in Cyprus.
They must isolate until they get the results.
However, from April 18, the rules will change to allow unvaccinated tourists to enter with just a negative test.
Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantela said Thursday that outdoor mask wearing will no longer be compulsory as of Monday.
A week later recovery or vaccine passports will also no longer be needed for shopping, art galleries, museums, bazaars and festivals.
Cinemas and theatres will return to 100% capacity while the isolation period for those who are a close Covid contact will be cut from seven days to five.
However, Mr Hadjipantela said: “Today’s announcement of relaxing the measure must not be misinterpreted.
“Covid is still here - experts insist that Covid is not a simple cold.”
Cyprus has reported 950 deaths since the beginning of Covid and while it has experienced higher cases in recent months, it has not come with a significant number of hospitalisations.
The Mediterranean island nation is the latest tourist destination to relax its rules.
Poland and Sweden have scrapped all their Covid entry requirements, with both countries no longer having any Covid entry requirements for tourists visiting, regardless of their vaccination status.
France has also reopened to unvaccinated British tourists after moving the UK to its green list on March 31.
This lifted restrictions for those without jabs, meaning they no longer need to have a “compelling reason to visit” or to quarantine.
A negative test must still be presented if you are unjabbed while the vaccinated must present proof of having received their jabs.
Denmark dropped all Covid entry requirements last month as did Gibraltar.
However, Spain has extended its Covid entry requirements until the end of April.
