Filenews 1 February 2021 - by Marilena Panagi
In the first phase of relaxations, after the strict quarantine of the previous three weeks, Cyprus enters, with the epidemiological picture visibly improved, but still at dangerous levels, and scientists stressing that the need for faithful observance of protection measures "is imperative".
As of today, they are putting up rolls, hairdressers, beauty salons and barbershops, while in private service companies, the percentage of employees who will be able to work with a physical presence increases to 50%.
In addition, the households of Cyprus are also "opened" from today, since according to the announcements of the Government, visits of up to two people will be allowed.
Betting agencies will also be reopened, only for the purpose of completing the ticket, as well as museums and archaeological sites.
There are also variations in exceptional movements, as category 9 is added to 8998, which will concern visits to barbershops, hairdressers and beauty salons, while the number 5 can also be used for house trips.
Finally, and as provided for in the decree that enters into force today, sport is forbidden on all nature trails in Cyprus and visits to the snowy paths of Troodos.
As the head of the Advisory Scientific Committee, Professor Konstantinos Tsiotis, told "F", "the results of the last three weeks have started to look and are very good".
However, he said in a fairly strong tone, "the need for faithful observance of protection measures is imperative, since the risk of a new flare-up is visible." After all, he explained, "it should be taken for granted that with the start of the relaxations, especially with the relaxations of the coming week, we will begin to see some increase in our rates. Therefore, in order to keep our indicators as safe as possible, we must cooperate with all."
Finally, he pointed out, 'the need for a positive response from companies in order to monitor their employees on a weekly basis', since, as he explained, 'this will allow us to have, to a large extent, control of the situation', recalling that 'faithful adherence to and monitoring of all health protocols is necessary'.
In alphabetical order the control of employees
The next step in the relaxes will be next Monday, with the return of some 80,000 employees to their jobs and the simultaneous reopening of the retail trade as a whole.
To this end, as of tomorrow, the Ministry of Health is implementing its plan to carry out rapid antigen testing tests on all workers who will be re-activated.
In fact, due to the large number of employees, the examination will be carried out in alphabetical order throughout the week.
As stated in its communication, the Ministry of Health begins on 2 February the programme for the examination of workers who will re-start their employment on 8 February."
According to the strategy of de-escalation of the restrictive measures, the programme concerns, "the staff of retail enterprises, teachers and staff of the Municipal Schools, teachers who teach to graduate students of Lyceums and Technical Schools and the staff of museums and archaeological sites".
In order to make control possible, 'workers have been grouped alphabetically on the basis of their last name.
Therefore, the sampling units will serve the workers mentioned above, as follows:
- On 2 February, persons whose last name begins with the letters A, B and C (A, B, C, D in the Latin alphabet) will be checked.
- On 3 February, the checks will cover persons whose last name starts from the letters D to I (E-I)
- On 4 February people whose last name begins with K and L (J-M)
- On 5 February persons whose last name starts from M to O (N-R)
- On 6 February, the audit will cover persons whose last name starts from P to S, (S-V)
- On 7 February (Sunday), the audit concerns workers whose last name starts from T up to Z (W-Z)
Keep alphabetical grouping
"Employees are encouraged to stick to the alphabetical grouping so that the program becomes organized and avoids overcrowding and inconvenience."
Those workers who do not go for an examination according to the alphabetical grouping, "must undergo an examination by Monday, February 8, since a condition to return to work is the presentation of a negative rapid test result".
For the best service to citizens, in the period 1-7 February, sampling units will be increased to 53 and will operate in all provinces in extended hours.
