Filenews 1 April 2021 - by Marilena Panagi
Relaxed and conditions for their implementation, particularly with regard to education, the Council of Ministers decided yesterday, while the Government made it clear that no new announcements should be expected before Holy Week since the decrees coming into force today have an expiry date of 30 April.
"The epidemiological picture of Cyprus allows us to proceed with at least a few de-escalation steps," said Health Minister Konstantinos Ioannou, who announced the Government's decisions, informed that "the Council of Ministers will meet the week before Holy Week to assess the epidemiological picture for any adjustments to the measures that will be in place in the run-up to Easter".
According to what was announced yesterday, a new decree comes into force today which provides for:
• Increase the number of text messages per citizen only for weekends. Specifically, on Saturday and Sunday, citizens will be entitled to 3 text messages while for weekdays the allowed number remains at 2.
• Return of pupils from high schools in Cyprus and pupils of primary education in Limassol province to their classrooms (from tomorrow). For high school students, it is necessary to present a negative rapid antigen detection test while for the children of Primary Education, a program will be drawn up in the next period to carry out a rapid detection nasal test on students in the second cycle (4th, 5th and 6th grade).
• Increase the maximum number of people allowed, regardless of age, in private schools and private educational institutions to seven (7) persons, including the instructor (6 pupils plus 1 instructor). It is understood that their operation is governed by the guidelines and the health protocol of the Ministries of Health and Education.
• Increase the existing number of people in swimming pools and gyms, on the basis of the CMO protocol and the Ministry of Health.
In addition from today it is allowed to:
• The conduct of individual sports/championships in outdoor sports facilities, in accordance with the guidelines of the Cyprus Sports Organization and the Ministry of Health (e.g. shooting, athletics, cycling, etc.).
• The presence and stay of customers outdoors of gambling and betting businesses, provided that the service is done exclusively in table seats and on the basis of protocol.
Yesterday's Decisions of the Council of Ministers included almost all the recommendations of the Advisory Scientific Committee since the scientists' recommendation remained out of relaxation and the reopening of amusement parks and public gardens.
As we are informed, scientists have already begun their preparations for the next phase of de-escalation as, in view of Easter, the need to establish strict protocols that will allow the safe presence of believers in churches is considered by both them and the Government to be imperative. At the same time and according to the same information, from the government's point of view there is a clear intention to grant relaxations during Holy Week and especially for Easter Day and Easter Monday. After all, only a few hours after yesterday's Ministerial decisions were announced, the Minister asked scientists to focus on issues relating to churches and citizens' gatherings in homes in the run-up to Easter. Of course, as in any case, decisions will depend on the epidemiological data available in the week of 19-24 April.
