Filenews 27 January 2021
The measures lifted in the context of the first phase of the strategy to de-escalation of restrictions, announced today the Minister of Health, Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou, during a press conference after the end of the Council of Ministers.
Asked if it was estimated that the new measures would continue to record a decrease in the positivity rate, Mr Ioannou said he expected the measures to de-escalate, as was the case in other countries such as Malta, "there is likely to be a flare-up. Let me remind you that Cyprus is the 2nd country in the EU by a proportion of the population to carry out diagnostic tests. With the implementation of the strategy now like all those who re-activise being monitored like 20% of workers on a weekly basis, the aim is precisely to have continuous surveillance through epidemiological image tests, to identify possible flare-ups in time to try to keep the positivity rate low."
Asked if recent announcements by AstraZeneca of a delay in vaccine deliveries are expected to affect Cyprus' vaccination plan, the Health Minister said he shared the views of the European Health Commissioner, noting that "steps need to be taken to ensure that Europe is treated like other countries in terms of vaccine delivery - because it sounds a bit strange to have a delivery problem only in the EU whereas in other countries like England it does not exist. As far as Cyprus is concerned, we have ordered from AstraZeneca much more than the proportion of our population, in the plan we have mentioned for coverage up to 100,000 was after taking into account the reduced quantities. If these quantities are increased, then we will be able to vaccinate more people." He pointed out that, according to our plan, by the beginning of March the over-80s and frontline health professionals will have been vaccinated, and taking into account the information we have so far from Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca.
Asked whether the number of SMS messages per day would increase, the Minister said there was no difference other than those announced, noting that a 9th category would be added to Form B for travel to hairdressers, barbershops and beauty salons. With regard to visits to homes of up to 2 persons of 1st and 2nd degree of kinship, the Minister of Health clarified that the regulation will be added to SMS No. 5.
Asked whether support measures for businesses would continue to be provided, Mr Ioannou responded positively, saying that "the objective of de-escalation is to limit mobility and contacts as much as possible, so you understand, by postponing at least a week not to open at the same time but in two stages, this objective is also achieved, so that if there is a problem we can intervene in time". He also stressed that despite the de-escalation of the measures, "it is extremely important to take advantage of the granting of free tests and because there was a response from the world and we do 8-10,000 tests a day, but our capacity is for more. But because there was no optimal response from the world we decided as it was mandatory, and therefore any sector that is reactivated must come with a test of at least one week."
Stations have been increased to 40 from 25; people will be called alphabetically and therefore they will all be able to be examined so that on February 8th they will all have a negative test. At the same time, however, those who work should have at least 20% of their employees on negative tests, explained the Minister, calling on workers to come for tests.
In response to a question about whether there will be a rapid test for senior students returning to school units on February 8, the Health Minister said it had not yet been decided, but, he said, school staff would be considered.
Asked if further investigation has been carried out into the existence of the new strain of the virus in the community, Mr Ioannou explained the strict measures Cyprus has been taking since 21 December 2020 to prevent its spread to the community. "We are the only country where all those who come enter a seven-day restriction under the supervision of the State. In England now they will do it for those who return to the country. Also, some other countries are thinking of doing PCR tests, which we have been doing since December. So all measures are being taken and we are studying another measure that will be announced when it is decided," he said. "So since December 20th we are the only country that has taken our measures to control the introduction of this strain in Cyprus. The update we had yesterday was that we will have results in two or three weeks in terms of ECDC consultations and I have asked if further tests can be done on positive results for the next two weeks," he said.
For his part, the Head of the Advisory Scientific Committee for the Coronavirus Dr. Konstantinos Tsoutis, in response to the same question, explained that there is concern about the mutation of the coronavirus. "We, for our part, take into account many parameters, with a view to one, Public Health. In addition to epidemiological indicators, we also take into account other parameters. The nurses, a very important parameter that we must look at and of course all the new developments. One of them is the mutation, which we know is transmitted, has been detected in dozens of countries, but also other things, such as the fact that we entered the winter months. So the key is one, the individual responsibility that everyone has to take on. That is why our reservations were that this period of strict measures was three weeks. This whole strategic plan has too many parameters and too many developments," he said.
Continuing, Mr. Tsoutis said that "some of our health protocols need to be revised perhaps depending on what they open. So in all of this we have to keep an eye on the situation. But I repeat the key lies in our behaviour first and then in the proper observance and monitoring of protocols."
Subsequently, in a related question, the Minister of Health reiterated that the situation is being assessed and decisions on de-escalation are based on the degree of risk in each sector, the recommendations of the experts and the ECDC. "Depending on the epidemiological development, there is a plan, the indicators have been put down, it is the arthrological impact, our compatriots in the ICU, the positivity rate, etc. We have put this data down and based on developments over the next few days, we are aware of what is next to move on to the next phases," he said.
That's why we're going with gradual de-escalation, Explained Mr. Ioannou, "because with a sharp de-escalation there is likely to be an outbreak. Our goal is with the massive tests and with the implementation of the strategy like all employees who are, for example, being tested. The aim is to have continuous surveillance, to detect possible flare-ups in a timely manner and to intervene in a timely manner."
We recognise the importance of culture, Mr Ioannou said, when asked why the cultural sector is not reopening. "It is not only culture, it is sport and there are many other activities, but unfortunately we have to take these measures. We must follow the protocols and take advantage of the concession of the tests, since they will be offered free of charge. We are the only country that offers free tests to such a large extent and it is a tool that can give us very good results," he pointed out.
Asked about gyms and the sports sector, and in response to reports of factors that there were no cases in these areas, the Minister explained that "there were cases in gyms and in sports and in many other places. In any case, however, there is this assessment of the risk of transmission and with this assessment we are either escalating or de-escalating the measures. It's a matter of purely epidemiological data.
"This is not the time to analyse you because in a shop where you do ten minutes and wear a mask it is not the same from a gym where you work out without a mask, where there is sweating and breathing and I am sorry that so many months later we have to answer these things," stressed the Minister.
Commenting on the phenomena observed at the weekend in the Troodos region with the increased number of citizens, the Minister of Health said that certainly such images "sadden us and certainly there needs to be better surveillance. But it's also in our mindset as a people. We have been stressing for so many months the individual responsibility of each and yet we have seen hundreds of people and these scenes in Troodos. We have not yet realized the importance of having 30 people fighting in the ICU every day and every day we announce the deaths of people. Everyone needs to be aware of the situation."
Finally, when asked whether the issue of access to nature trails would be reviewed, Mr Ioannou announced that access would be banned through the Decree. "You realize that we are obliged to make some decisions and those who really want to visit the paths of nature will also pay for it, because of the behaviour of a small portion of citizens."
Source: eyenews
