The still high number of infections and the rapid global spread of a new variant of the Omicron coronavirus are the main reasons for tightening quarantine rules.
New rules have been introduced for both travelers and those who come into contact with a person infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Below is a summary of the most important rules, including those regarding the possibility of shortening the quarantine.
Mandatory testing for household members
The obligation to test for COVID-19 applies to everyone who lives with an infected person, whether or not they have been fully vaccinated.
To get a free coronavirus test, use the form on the official state website. Receipt of a COVID-19 test order automatically starts the quarantine. A positive test result turns the quarantine into home isolation. A negative test result releases the quarantine.
Read: Tests on COVID-19 – comparison
Quarantine rules upon return from the Schengen zone (including from Cyprus)
Passengers returning from Schengen countries and Croatia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, are exempt from quarantine if they have a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR or antigen test) performed within 48 hours before their return or from the time they crossed the border.
To confirm that the quarantine is lifted, the negative test result taken abroad must be presented at the airport or, if the test is taken after return, the sanitary authorities must be contacted based on the negative test result entered by the testing center in the Internet Patient Account.
The tests are not publicly funded.
The following are also exempt from quarantine upon return:
- persons who have been issued a certificate of full vaccination against COVID-19 and at least 14 days have elapsed since the vaccination,
- recovered persons, i.e., those who have completed home isolation, isolation or hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, no later than 6 months before the day of return to the country,
- children under 12 years of age traveling under the care of vaccinated adults (min. 14 days after the full dose),
- Air and sea crew, railroad workers, international transport drivers,
- medics coming to provide health services,
- athletes and members of the training staff for international sports competitions,
- persons who, upon arrival, stay in the territory for no longer than 24 hours and have an air ticket confirming departure within 24 hours.
- In addition, in the case of travel from the European Union and EFTA countries and Turkey, children under the age of 12 traveling with parents who have a negative test performed within 48 hours before crossing the border are also exempt from quarantine.
Quarantine upon return from outside the Schengen zone
Passengers returning from outside the Schengen zone are required to show the result of a diagnostic test (RT-PCT or antigen test). The test can be taken before crossing the border (result no older than 24 hours) or taken upon arrival at the airport, before the border crossing.
You can also take the test upon arrival at the airport within 3 hours of crossing the border. Non-Schengen returnees who do not take the test will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. In the case of fully vaccinated and recovered persons – a negative test result exempts from quarantine (as soon as the result is entered into the system by the testing center. In the case of unvaccinated persons, only a negative test result taken on the eighth day after their return releases them from quarantine. A positive result for both groups is tantamount to a 14-day quarantine.
The tests are not publicly funded. The obligation to take the test does not apply to children under the age of 5.
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