Filenews 6 May 2021
The strategy for de-escalation of anti-pandemic measures is presented by the Minister of Health, at a press conference, following the latest decisions of the Council of Ministers.
Present at the press conference are the Head of the Advisory Scientific Committee for the Crown, Mr. Konstantinos Tsioutis, and the member of the Advisory Committee and Advisor of the Ministry for Sociology and Psychology in pandemic Professor Konstantinos Fellas.
According to the decision of the Council of Ministers, from Monday 10 May SMS is abolished and the curfew will start from 11 p.m. In addition, closed businesses are expected to open. A prerequisite for going to places where there is a gathering, such as restaurants, bars, cafes, department stores, gyms, etc., is the presentation of Coronapass, i.e. the presentation of a molecular or rapid test, with effect within 72 hours, vaccination with at least one dose and completion of a period of at least 3 weeks and someone who has been sickened by covid-19 disease in the last 6 months.
The Minister of Health said:
After assessing the epidemiological picture and taking into account that epidemiological indicators have been stabilising in recent days, while the decline in hospital admissions has gradually begun, the Council of Ministers has decided on a series of measures to gradually restart the economy and society.
As you have already been informed yesterday, the de-escalation of measures will be gradual and proportionate to the epidemiological picture as it evolves. The lifting of the various restrictions is aimed at the psychological uplift of citizens after months of sacrifices. However, the return to more normal conditions must be done safely and carefully. For this reason, not all restrictions can be completely removed at this stage. But they are adapting to the data of the period we are going through now.
Therefore, the Council of Ministers, as was the commitment two weeks ago, decided to proceed to a gradual unlocking of the economy and social activities. With a deadline of 1 June, it was decided to gradually de-escalate in three phases in order to allow more time to stabilise epidemiological indicators, while accelerating vaccinations, in order to achieve the target of administering at least the 1st dose of vaccine to more than 60% of the population by the end of June.
In the 1st phase and until 16 May, the measures in force until 25 April are restored with the same restrictions and health protocols. The aim is to move smoothly to the next phase from 17 May, when more businesses will reopen and more leisure activities will be allowed. For example, from 17 May, the number allowed in cultural and religious places is increased, social events such as weddings and baptisms are allowed, businesses that have remained closed for months, such as playgrounds, amusement parks, casinos, zoos, excursion spaces, are being reopened.
Then, provided that the epidemiological picture is improved with the contribution of vaccinations, from 1 June we will proceed to further relaxes that will be closer to the conditions we knew before the pandemic.
In addition, in order to achieve the best possible harmonisation, it was decided to abolish the measure for sending a text message for travel purposes. From now on, in order to be more safe when we are present in specific places where potential for gatherings is larger and increased presence of individuals are observed, in addition to the use of masks and compliance with other personal protection measures, it was decided that in busy places (e.g. shopping malls, restaurants, churches, etc.), one of the following conditions should apply:
- Have been vaccinated with at least one dose and a period of 3 weeks has passed, or
- Have been ill with COVID-19 in the last 6 months, or
- If one of the above does not apply, and as a temporary solution until vaccination coverage goes further, citizens aged 12 years and over are given the option to present a negative test certificate, PCR or rapid test, valid for 72 hours. For example, if the test took place on Sunday at 10 a.m. it would be valid until Tuesday at midnight.
This measure is temporary and will be implemented for a transitional period in order to ensure that our movements and social contacts are made with as much security as possible for our health and for public health. The aim, at the same time, is to achieve the desired immunity through vaccinations.
It is also clarified that the responsibility for the control of the possession of evidence is not the responsibility of the operators, but the control will be carried out by the competent Officers of the Police or the Ministries and Departments according to the companies in their areas of competence.
The period we are going through is crucial and will determine our further steps. The goal at the moment is to accelerate the vaccination coverage of the population. The results of vaccinations have started to show a positive change in epidemiological data and in our country. Having exceeded 33% of people vaccinated with the 1st dose of licensed vaccines, we are already seeing the benefits since cases of serious disease and hospitalizations in particular of the elderly have been greatly reduced, resulting from very high vaccination coverage at older ages. The Ministry of Health continues with commitment to the implementation of the Vaccination Plan, having increased the possibility of carrying out more vaccinations per day. The response from citizens to vaccination is very encouraging and this gives us optimism that we will soon be able to move towards even more easing. We see younger ages showing an increased interest in vaccination and this is encouraging. Only through collective effort will we achieve immunity and take our lives back into our own hands.
The target we have set for vaccination at least with the 1st dose of more than 60% by the end of June is achievable and achievable. At the same time, however, we need constant vigilance and proper observance of personal protection measures. Personal precautions are simple and do not affect our daily lives. The combination of the implementation of protection measures and vaccination is our vehicle for exiting the difficult conditions of the pandemic. The June horizon and the end of unprecedented conditions are near. We can and will be able to get our lives back quickly.
The head of the scientific team, Dr . Konstantinos Tsioutis mentioned:
- The Advisory Committee does not comment on the measures but on informing citizens, stressing that the solution to the pandemic is ourselves. In May 2020, he said, we had begun discussing the first de-escalation plan of the measures and a year later we were discussing the same things, and since then we have lost hundreds of people and seen thousands suffering.
- In the last 15 months the data has changed quite a bit since our lives, our psychology, our economy, education and culture have been affected.
- We need to understand that the problem is the pandemic, not us. The pandemic will not disappear overnight. We need to get back to basics and make them our daily lives.
- Two are the most important tools. Vaccination and ourselves. As far as vaccination is concerned, it appears from countries that have advanced that it prevents symptoms, hospitalizations and reduces deaths.
- He gave the example of vaccinations in the over-70s in Cyprus, where we see hospitalizations have decreased significantly. At the same time, the majority of those who die are unvaccinated. Yesterday we had an update from the pharmaceutical services saying among other things that vaccination does not cover 100%. This means that even after vaccination we should continue to be careful.
- The issue, he said, is the responsibility each of us has towards himself and those around him, and he noted that there are many things we do not yet know about, so there can be no complete denial of the measures. We do not yet know how long the pandemic will last or what will happen when vaccinations are extended.
- We know that as long as there is transmission there is also the possibility of mutation. We know that the virus is more easily transmitted in enclosed and un-ventilated areas.
- So in the scenario where someone doesn't pay attention, doesn't follow the measures, it's not limited to what we've seen in the last few days. We see chains continue and grow and because of them someone ends up in the hospital.
- He also stressed that in the second scenario we all understand individual and everyday personal protection measures.
Asked to comment on the problems of the Vaccination Portal, he stressed that as the Ministry of Health they are trying to solve them while the aim is to advance the vaccination plan. With the opening of the gate, next time, the ages will be for the ages that would open today.
As far as criticisms of the measures are concerned, whether they are constitutional or not, he said that there is no question of legal action and that the courts will judge it if the citizens appeal. He explained that what we call CoronaPass is the abolition of SMS and with vaccination or negative tests or those who have been sick in order for people to move more safely. CoronaPass will be named after the relevant online platform.
He also stressed that issues would be clarified later in the day and the measures would be implemented next Monday. He stressed that it would be done by the officials of the relevant departments or the Police and what would be requested until it was implemented electronically. Those who are sick have the SMS release.
As far as the elections are concerned, he stressed that there is no Plan B to implement because we do not know how things will turn out by then.
Asked if CoronaPass creates citizens of two categories, Mr Ioannou replied that two categories are not created. Instead, he said, we are ensuring more security for citizens.
With regard to rapid tests, Mr Ioannou stressed that provision had been made to increase test stations and instructions had been given to launch a new competition for even more stations and recommended patience.
