Filenews 6 May 2021
From Friday 7 May the rapid test stations will double and will now amount to 85 for the convenience of citizens, in view of the new measures that will apply from Monday, said Health Minister Konstantinos Ioannou. At the same time, he dismissed criticism that the coronapass creates two-speed citizens, saying that instead it ensures our safety in busy places, at the same time as sending SMS for movement is abolished.
At a press conference this afternoon together with the head of the scientific advisory committee Konstantinos Tsioutis and the member of the committee Konstantinos Fellas, the Minister explained that at a future stage the coronapass will be operated electronically by the Ministry of Research, with special application or dispatch of a code and that in this direction the Ministry of State is working intensively. For the time being, for places where this certificate is required, citizens will display, when requested, either the result of the antigen test, or the molecular test or the vaccination card or the message they received for release from quarantine if they were sick.
The antibody test is not considered a qualifying certificate and neither is the Ministry oriented towards the adoption of the self test.
The Minister made no secret of his dissatisfaction with the problems at the Vaccination Portal and assured that those who lost their turn would have a new opportunity for vaccination and that vaccines had been ordered for the entire population.
He said that in addition to the decision to carry out vaccinations by personal doctors, discussions are taking place with pharmacists but there is currently nothing to announce.
When asked about the administration of Pfizer to younger ages, the Minister said that Cyprus would faithfully follow the EMA's instructions and when the agency approves this "we will do so", assuring that several quantities of vaccines have been ordered and there is no question of quantities and adequacy.
Asked how safe we should feel with the announcement of lifting measures, given the epidemiological picture, Mr Ioannou said that we should now also look at the psychology of the world, adding that lockdown alone is not the solution. We cannot, he said, keep the economy and society closed and realise that cooperation is needed from everyone.
"We are the solution to the problem, that is our call and this is the aim of the interview today, to convey the message that if we do not realise that our cooperation is needed, we will always have the same problems," he said.
The Minister said that our aim is to serve the citizen and not to inconvenience him and that the coronapass measure has already been adopted in other EU countries and the EU itself is discussing the issue of the so-called green pass for travel.
"Our appeal to the world is to cooperate. Let us not deal with individual problems in the daily application (of the pass) but look at the big picture," said the Minister.
In order to hold the parliamentary elections, the Minister said that depending on the development of the pandemic, the necessary plans will be made and that the situation is assessed daily.
Tsioutis: Pandemic won't disappear overnight, back to basics
The head of the EES Konstantinos Tsioutis in his own position clearly stressed that we are the solution to the problem and that cooperation is needed from all.
Dr. Tsioutis said that from last May until today we are discussing the same things but the situation in the hospitals is different, we have lost people, their relatives are suffering, people are diseased and still have symptoms.
"The facts have changed, our way of life has changed, our psychology has affected our education and culture, we are appealing to citizens to stand by us, to shape a new, functional everyday life and to live with the virus but safely," he said.
He referred to the weapon of vaccination which prevents, on the basis of the data, serious disease and hospitalization, which we see also by vaccinating people over 70 and those who live in nursing homes with a significant reduction in hospitalizations.
Dr. Tsoutis said that vaccination does not actually protect 100% but at a very high rate and that is why after vaccination we must be careful and observe the protection measures.
He said that given our image, experience and knowledge, the question is not how strict the measures are and who adheres to them and who does not, but above all our responsibility towards ourselves and our fellow citizens.
"A lot of things we don't know and that's why we're not going to completely lift the measures, but we do know that this virus is transmitted from person to person with close contact indoors and so we know what to keep," he said.
Dr. Tsoutis noted that as long as there is transmission, there is also a possibility of mutation and called again citizens if they have symptoms to communicate with their doctor and follow the instructions given to them. At the same time, he also called on workplace managers to ensure that measures are respected and when positive or close contacts are identified, then protocols are followed.
"To make a deal together, we know how the virus is transmitted and therefore to operate by changing our orientation, to get out of the terror scenarios and learn to live with the virus while remaining safe," he said.
Let's make a contract with life, says Dr. Fellas.
Dr Konstantinos Fellas said the virus has left its imprint on our psychology and is a threat of economic insecurity, while the measures test our resistance.
"We feel that we are trapped in a prolonged insecurity, there is a disintegration of our basal cells that are no more than sociability. Behind the figures and numbers are patients and their relatives and on their faces is the image of hearing good news about their relatives. Some people are in mourning," he said.
Dr Fellas said we owe gratitude to the public and a huge thank you to the health officials who stand firm and face the pandemic and its consequences.
"Let's take this opportunity to make a social contract with life and have a new way of thinking about the real values of life and with collective responsibility for everyone's interest," he said.
He noted that we must all come together and rely on the weapons of science and our will and our strength to renew the goal of protecting public health for ourselves and those around us, for today and tomorrow and for generations to come.
Source: eyenews/KYPE
