COVID19: All frontline workers to be tested

All Cyprus frontline workers in the food industry and healthcare will be tested for coronavirus under a government scheme to contain the pandemic after positive cases at a popular supermarket and bakery chain.

Businesses selling food and beverages, supermarkets, bakeries and kiosks, as well as those employed in homes for the elderly will have to undergo coronavirus tests within the next 14 days.

The cabinet announced its decision on Wednesday, to ensure all frontline workers are tested following the detection of around 30 COVID-19 cases at a Zorbas bakery production unit and Alpamega supermarket in Nicosia.

Testing will also be mandatory for people working in homes for the elderly and generally in premises offering accommodation and care for elderly people.

All categories of frontline workers will be tested for free at the laboratories which are cooperating with the Ministry of Health, in addition to the 20,000 tests already being carried out by the government.

All employees are obligated to undergo the test, the cost will be covered by their employer.

After the 14-day deadline, the relevant agencies in cooperation with the ministry`s epidemiological monitoring unit will carry out inspections to ensure that all employees have undergone the laboratory test for COVID-19.

A decree will be issued setting a ceiling on the price asked of the PCR (swab) test by the approved laboratories at €110, not including VAT.

The cabinet also decided that health services are to release information of businesses where coronavirus cases have been reported.

The cabinet further decided that all employees at a workplace where cases have been reported should be sent to self-isolate at home, and the entire staff should be replaced.

Businesses will be able to start operations again only if the epidemiological monitoring unit approves it after inspecting the affected premises.