When can I go on holiday to Cyprus and what are the strict entry requirements?

Brits hoping for a summer holiday to Cyprus may have to wait a little longer.

While the island is on the UK's quarantine-free travel list, Cyprus is not currently admitting anyone who has been in the UK within 14 days.

This means people can come from Cyprus into the UK without quarantining - but not the other way round.

Brits will be barred from the island until August, when the Cypriot government is due to review its coronavirus border controls and move the UK onto its "Category B" list.

Here's what that means: 

When can I go on holiday to Cyprus?

Cyprus has put countries into three categories.

Cyprus will admit British tourists from 1 August (Getty Images)

People coming from Category A countries can enter Cyprus freely.

People coming from Category B countries can enter Cyprus, but have to have taken a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their departure. They will need to present their negative test result at the border.

People coming from Category C countries cannot currently enter Cyprus at all.

While the UK is currently in Category C, it will be moved to Category B on 1 August.

What are the entry requirements for Brits?

From 1 August, Brits will be able to go on holiday in Cyprus.

It's exempt from the FCO's advisory against all but essential foreign travel, and it's also on the quarantine-free travel list, which means you won't have to self-isolate when you get home.

However, Cyprus has very strict entry requirements for people coming from Category B countries.

You will have to take a PCR COVID-19 test within the 72 hours before your departure.

Tourists will be asked to show the negative result of that test at the border, before they are allowed into the country.

This can be in the form of an email or SMS, but it must clearly show the date and location of the test, and the type of test (which must be PCR).

Incoming travellers are also required to fill out a Cyprus Flight Pass. Your negative PCR result must be uploaded to this site within 24 hours of your departure.

You will be asked to present this pass when you board your flight, and also when you get to border control in Cyprus.