Filenews 22 December 2020
The Cabinet meeting was concluded, where decisions were taken on the relaxation of measures against the crown during the holidays.
At the meeting the Minister of Health, Konstantinos Ioannou presented to the members of the Council of Ministers the positions of the scientific team on the subject.
According to the statements of the Minister of Health:
Decisions were taken by the Council of Ministers on 9 December in an effort to stop the spread of the pandemic by the end of the year. Our effort two weeks ago focused on achieving a significant improvement in the epidemiological picture and significantly reducing the epidemiological indicators that were in the worst situation since the beginning of the pandemic.
The data before us after the evaluation of the data do not leave us satisfied. According to the Advisory Scientific Committee on Coronavirus, epidemiological indicators remain at unsafe limits and therefore no relaxation of the measures in force is recommended.
The stabilisation recorded in the indicators is still at high levels. The number of cases remains increased and this is also reflected in the continued increase in the positivity rate from rapid antigen diagnostic tests in Cyprus. The number of hospitalisations varies daily between 110 and 130 people, while the number of people rescued in the Intensive Care Units is high, burdening the Health System. What is most worrying is the daily deaths that continue to be recorded and required measures to protect people at increased risk for serious illness.
According to the above data and, taking into account the social and psychological factors, as well as the fatigue felt by all citizens, the Council of Ministers decided today the following:
1. The measures notified on 9 December 2020 until 10 January 2021 shall be extended. The situation will be regularly assessed by the Scientific Advisory Committee.
2. On 24 December 2020 traffic will be allowed until 11 p.m. and New Year's Eve will be allowed until 1 a.m. and the restriction of 10 people to gatherings in homes, including minors, remains.
3. Recognising the need of believers for congregation and since the protocol will be strictly applied, in cooperation with the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus, only for 25 December 2020 and 6 January 2021, the operation of places of religious worship is permitted in the presence of believers with a maximum attendance of 75 people, respecting the measure of one person per 3 sq.m. and in accordance with the square meters of the site. If there is a need to church more believers, it is recommended that more functions be performed on the above dates.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As I mentioned in my introduction, the burden on the epidemiological picture does not allow us to relax much, even though that was our goal. At the moment there does not seem to be any marked improvement and for this reason, we are continuing with very careful steps, with even these small exceptions which will give some psychological stimulation to the citizens. As you can see, the whole of Europe is on high alert. The situation in Cyprus is serious, but we remain in control.
I appeal once again to all our fellow citizens: the only way to emerge victorious from this arduous and months-long adventure is to remain vigilant until we are safe. By counting down to the advent of vaccines and the start of vaccinations from next weekend, I strongly ask everyone to be patient for a while longer, until we secure vaccination coverage for a large proportion of the population. The vaccine is the beginning of the end of this long journey and is only half the effort that the scientific community offers us. The other half piece is in the hands of each of us, who are called upon to show responsibility, carefully respecting the measures.
