Passengers from the UK who arrived at the airports of Larnaka and Paphos, in Cyprus, are being transferred to hotels paid by the government, following the authorities` decision for quarantine. The measure was put into effect yesterday until January 5th and it follows the decision taken by many countries after a new strain of coronavirus was detected in the UK.
Three flights are scheduled to land at Larnaka airport on Tuesday, operated by British Airways, Easyjet and Wizz Air.
Yesterday a total of 257 passengers arrived from the UK aboard 2 flights. Upon their arrival they were tested for COVID-19 and were transferred to hotels for a 7-day quarantine.
The flights yesterday were operated by British Airways and Easyjet.
Students` parents who arrived yesterday from the UK protested the new measures saying that they were not given sufficient time to decide whether they should cancel the trip to Cyprus.
Transport Minister visited the airport yesterday and presided a meeting in light of the new measures.
Until December 26 a total of 21 flights are set to land to Larnaka.
An EasyJet flight arrived yesterday at Paphos airport from Manchester and the 54 passengers were transferred to a Limassol hotel. A few passengers were exempt for medical reasons or because they were minors.
Another flight from London with 138 passengers arrived yesterday.
According to the new measures, all passengers from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 as soon as they arrive to the airport. People under the age of 18 years old will be able to self-isolate at their home. However they can also remain in isolation at the hotels if they are travelling with their parents/guardians or if they cannot self-isolate at home.
On the 7th day the passengers will be tested again for COVID-19 and those who test negative will remain in self-isolation for three more days (total isolation of ten days).
On the 10th day the isolation of those who have no symptoms will be ended. Those who have symptoms will have to contact their personal doctor who will further guide them.
The cost for the transfer to and accommodation in the hotels will be paid by the state.
The samples of those who have arrived during last week from the UK and have tested positive for COVID-19 will be examined by the Institute of Neurology and Genetics to check about the new variant.
As it is noted, the Advisory Scientific Committee for COVID-19 is in contact with the competent EU mechanisms and follows developments closely as well as any new recommendation that can change the above arrangements, that will be announced immediately.
