Filenews 12 March 2021
New measures based on two pillars announced by the Minister of Health, Konstantinos Ioannou. Among other things, it was decided to extend distance education in Gymnasiums for another two weeks while the Limassol primary schools were closed due to an outbreak of cases. In terms of focus, it opens from 16 March only for outdoor areas, while the curfew will apply from 11 p.m. instead of 9 p.m.
In two pillars the measures announced by the Minister of Health.
(a) First pillar (validity period 16-31 March): Targeted measures in enclosed spaces presenting increased flocks of cases and with a high risk of communicability (offices, municipal offices, houses, etc.) in an effort to intercept the dispersion in these areas:
- It restores 25% to service providers by adjusting the rapid test weekly control programme to 25% of the employees of those enterprises and at the same time strengthening supervision and controls.
- Considering that children are carriers with an increased risk of transmission/dispersion and delay in their detection since for the most part they are asymptomatic, with inability to impose diagnostic tests, making them silent carriers at risk of the spread of the virus with increased cases and since in the Municipal Schools of Limassol Province there are many chains of cases, it was decided to suspend the Municipal Schools in Limassol Province with the physical presence of students until 31 March.
- Extension of the suspension of the physical presence of Gymnasiums on a pancyprian basis for the next two weeks (until 31.03.2021), in order to prevent outbreaks of cases.
(b) Second Pillar: Measures aimed at increasing the conformity of the world and at the same time the psychological recovery of citizens:
- From Monday, March 15th, up to 6 people with mandatory mask use by people of different households are allowed access to squares and parks.
- Only for Monday, March 15th, access to excursion sites and dams is allowed.
- Restaurants shall be reopened from Tuesday, 16 March, only the exterior areas of the premises, with a strict protocol to be published, in compliance with distance measures and health instructions.
- It moves from Tuesday, March 16th, the time of validity of the curfew from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
This is the speech of the Minister of Health:
The epidemiological data of the last two weeks were presented and examined today at the Cabinet meeting and the situation as it currently stands was assessed.
Epidemiological data and public hospital data show that the situation is at a key point.
- The situation in the community remains epidemiologically deteriorating, with a greater burden on the Limassol Province.
- There is a marked increase in communicability in the community and especially in places of confusion, such as primary schools, workplaces (private and public sector), as well as increased domestic transmission.
- Increased communicability and disease is now linked to the British mutant strain, which is found in the community and as shown by the data so far from ECDC sample analysis, its incidence rate is 25.7%.
- The picture in The Municipal Schools of Cyprus is burdened with extremely worrying data in Limassol Province.
- In the case of workplaces, there are conflicts in all areas, such as service companies banks, accounting offices, advisory services, human resources departments and the public sector.
- From the analysis of admissions/hospitalizations in recent days most transmissions were made in an in-family or friendly environment, as well as in workplaces, while the average age has decreased, observing admissions to healthy younger people who develop severe cardiorespensical symptoms and need hospitalization.
The aggravated epidemiological picture and the increase in the number of people in hospital is a cause for concern and calls us to be vigilant. If imports continue at this rate, our primary objective of protecting the Health System will be put at risk, including the good performance we have achieved all this time and our primary goal of saving lives.
On the other hand, we are listening to the strong concerns of experts that psychological fatigue is pervasive throughout society after a year in unprecedented and difficult conditions, and that the measures may not have paid off because of this fatigue.
The situation before us is to put together all the concerns and find the right balance so that we can move towards the end of this health crisis safely.
Following an assessment of the above and taking into account both the increasing burden on the epidemiological picture and the low compliance rate at both individual and collective level as set out in the analysis of the Tracing Group, and taking into account the views of the EES and the President of the Commission on psychological support to citizens from the effects of the pandemic , the Council of Ministers decided that the measures should focus on two pillars.
Ladies and gentlemen,
With our weapon the increased tests, tracking, surveillance and development of the vaccination program and the suggestions of the experts we focused on these two pillars so that with your help we can continue the battle with the invisible enemy. The situation will be assessed daily. The common goal that we must all set together is to improve the epidemiological picture in a way that allows us to continue our return to everyday life in safe and stable steps. Especially in Limassol Province, our effort must become even more intense and collective. The Government does not want measures to be reinstated and that is why we need the cooperation of all our fellow citizens.
It is our belief that the thread can only be cut with the cooperation of the whole society. We once again ask our fellow citizens for their contribution and understanding. Everyone's great sacrifices have brought fatigue and we recognize that. We now have the weapon of vaccination and our need to return to normality as soon as possible is expressed in the vaccination of our thousands of fellow citizens. The vaccination rate, which is accelerating and will increase in the coming weeks, gives us optimism for a safe follow-up. Until then, we, our brothers, our friends, must continue responsibly to observe the measures. Let us not forget the personal protection measures. Let us not rest that we have reached the end because unfortunately the epidemiological data of the last few days confirm to us that a relaxation, a stumble can at any time reverse the situation, take us back. We've proven that we have the maturity to do it. But individual and collective discipline is needed. Our lives, the lives of our loved ones are in our hands. We started together. Only with your help will we make it.
Source: eyenews
