Filenews 27 January 2021
The relaxed measures against the pandemic are announced at a press conference by the Minister of Health Konstantinos Ioannou. In the morning, the Cabinet meeting was held under the PDR, at which the final decisions were taken. The Government's aim is to remove the measures gradually and with concrete planning in order to maintain the epidemiological picture of the country at levels that do not endanger public health.
The statements of the Minister of Health:
From Monday, 1 February, the following shall apply:
- Reopening of barbershops, hairdressers, beauty salons.
- Increase from 25% to 50% of the percentage of staff who can have a physical presence in private service companies, without a minimum and maximum number of people.
- Prohibition of gatherings in houses, with the exception of the visit of up to two (2)persons, provided that they are relatives of the 1st and 2nd degree.
As from Monday, 8 February 2021, the following shall also apply:
- Reopening of public and private primary schools, Lyceums and Technical Schools for 3rd Grade students only
- Reopening of retail businesses, including department stores and shopping centres/malls.
- Reopening of gambling agencies, only for the purpose of completing the ticket, without the use of table seats.
- Reopening of museums and other archaeological sites.
- The Holy Mass in the places of religious worship is held in the presence of believers with a maximum number of persons up to 50 people, respecting the health protocols.
- Increase the number of people visiting homes to four (4) people.
In a statement, the Minister of Health said that:
"We are in the 3rd week of lockdown which came into force on 10 January 2021 and the improvement of the epidemiological picture allows us to begin the gradual de-escalation of restrictive measures.
As we have stressed several times, the de-escalation steps will be too late, coordinated and controlled to allow for surveillance of the epidemiological situation and a reduction in the likelihood of epidemiological deterioration. Decisions are not only taken on the basis of a reduction in the number of cases, but also take into account other epidemiological indicators such as the situation in hospitals which remains quite difficult. Our goal is to continue to see in connection with the reduction of cases, and a decrease in the number of hospitalized, while our attention is focused on people hospitalized in serious condition in Increased Care and Intensive Care Units.
In addition to the epidemiological picture, the action plan for phasing out the restrictive measures developed takes into account the triptych 'test-vaccinations-strict monitoring of the implementation of the measures', without ignoring the recommendations for alertness to concerns at European level about the aggressive spread and transmission of the new strain of the virus, as well as developments in vaccination issues.
Based on the above parameters, we want to avoid hasty high-risk movements that will undermine the effort to restart social and economic activity as quickly as possible, with the aim of returning as quickly but safely to more normal conditions.
As you know, in recent months an important weapon in our pandemic strategy has been the large number of rapid antigen tests conducted in the community that allow us to have rapid and reliable epidemiological surveillance in real time.
Therefore, using the rapid test tool, and to reduce the risk of spreading the virus in workplaces and in the population in general, the Ministry of Health has drawn up a plan for targeted rapid testing in the workplace for all groups of workers to be re-active. In particular, workers returning to their workplace, on the basis of the strategy, will be subjected to a rapid test which will be provided free of charge by the Ministry of Health through the sampling units. Therefore, and on the basis of the above announcements, from tomorrow until Sunday, a program will be implemented to examine all employees employed in hairdressers, barbershops and beauty salons, who will be re-active from Monday, February 1st. At the same time, from 1 February the mandatory weekly rapid test check of 20% of staff working in in-service enterprises will be implemented. In particular, companies should have 20% of their employees at any time and on a weekly rapid test. To achieve this objective, workers will be able to go to the sampling points of the Ministry of Health from tomorrow.
The gradual re-opening of the economy safely requires faithful adherence to health protocols. It is a warm request to all workers and employers, to professional associations, trade unions and other organisations, to businesses, to ensure that the updated directives are applied diligently. At the same time, all the Ministries involved responsible for supervising the implementation of the measures are coordinated for more effective surveillance.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The improved epidemiological picture that we have now essentially reflects the measures implemented during the holiday season onwards. Therefore, in the coming days we will take stock of the measures that will be implemented from now on and accordingly will be the steps to further de-escalation of restrictions. I repeat that the de-escalation steps should be slow and controlled in order to further move away from the unsafe zone.
As we have said many times, an important weapon in the fight against the virus is vaccination coverage of the population. Despite the delay in the supply of vaccines, we are optimistic that we will cover the lost ground because we have ordered far more vaccines than are due to the population of Cyprus. The interest in vaccination in our country has exceeded the initial estimates and this pleases us. In this way, we will discharge and at the same time shield the Health System, protecting our fellow human beings with an increased risk of serious illness and hospitalization. The vaccination shielding of a critical group of the population will allow us to continue the de-escalation plan with more confidence and safety.
NOTE - The curfew remains in place from 9pm to 5am, as does the need for SMS/paper permit for up to 2 absences from the house per day. A category will be added to the form for trips to the hairdresser, beautician, etc.
