Filenews 1 June 2021 - by Marilena Panagi
Subject to the presentation of SafePass, in all enclosed spaces, the new relaxes decided last week by the government and these include the reopening of the interiors in the restaurants, and probably if the dialogue between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides takes effect, from Friday the roadblocks will also be reopened - but again subject to the presentation of certificates.
As the government spokesman, Kyriakos Kousios, said in a statement, "on the principles and substance there seems to be agreement in principle with regard to the crossing points, which will be completed on Wednesday, with a view to their reopening on Friday" and added that "with the reopening of the crossing points we will be in the situation before the crowning pandemic. , with the sole differentiation of the presentation of the necessary certificates for Covid-19'.
He said there would be a new teleconference on Wednesday of the Greek Cypriot negotiator, Andreas Mavrogiannis, with the special representative of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ergiun Olgun, and the UN SG Special Representative in Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar, and explained that "the decision to reopen the roadblocks is taken on the basis of epidemiological data in relation to the coronavirus, but it remains a political decision".
As regards the next relaxes, in accordance with the government's decisions, they will enter into force from 10 June and these include the reopening of all nightclubs and the abolition of the night curfew measure.
As of today, therefore, with regard to social activities:
20 persons may be present in homes, including permanently resident persons.
More than 20 persons may be present in houses only for wedding and baptism events.
Wedding ceremonies, baptisms and funerals may be held, provided that the presence of persons within the venue where the ceremony is held does not exceed 50% of its capacity. Persons aged 12 years and over are required to own SafePass.
Social events, such as weddings, baptisms, graduation parties, etc., may be held in dining areas, event and banquet areas, hotels/tourist accommodations, nightclubs, nightclubs and music and dance venues, subject to the following conditions:
A) 150 people indoors for lunch or dinner, or
B) 280 people outdoors for lunch or dinner
C) 250 people at any one time only outdoors for a cocktail party
All indoor attendees aged 12 and over must have a SafePass.
With regard to Education and Culture:
All private care homes and private training centres, including social activities, may operate in accordance with the capacity of each room of the premises and with a minimum physical presence number, if the manager of the premises so wishes, the 7 persons, including the instructor.
For care homes and social activities carried out indoors, SafePass is required for people aged 12 and over.
Theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas and theatres with a maximum number of 50 spectators or with a occupancy of 50% of the capacity of the premises in enclosed or outdoor areas are permitted. For indoors, SafePass is required for all persons aged 12 years and over.
For places of religious worship:
The presence of believers in places of religious worship during the church and/or other forms of religious worship is permitted, as long as the completeness does not exceed 50% of the capacity of the site. Persons aged 12 years and over are required to have a SafePass.
The simultaneous presence of 20 persons in places of religious worship for prayer purposes is permitted.
For economic activities:
The interiors are reopened in the dining areas; all persons aged 12 years and over must have a safepass (SafePass is not required for outdoor areas).
Casinos are allowed to operate with a occupancy not exceeding 50% of the capacity of the premises. For indoors, SafePass is required for all persons aged 12 years and over.
Conferences and trade fairs may be held, with a occupancy not exceeding 50% of the capacity of the premises. For indoors, SafePass is required for all persons aged 12 years and over.
Indoor and outdoor playgrounds, amusement parks and theme parks may be operated without social events.
The physical presence of employees in private service undertakings, as well as in departments/services of the public and wider public sector, with the exception of essential services, which does not exceed 50% of the total number of employees, is permitted.
329 people under 50 are eligible to change vaccine
The ability to cancel the appointment they had arranged to be vaccinated with an AstraZeneca vaccine and to vaccinate them with another vaccine, applies to 329 people under the age of 50. As the Minister of Health, Konstantinos Ioannou, said in a statement, "with regard to people under 50 who had planned the first dose, these are 329 people, they are given the opportunity to either proceed with their vaccination if they wish, or to call 1474, cancel their appointment and schedule another one with an mRNA vaccine when their age group opens". Asked if there was any indication of cancellations of appointments for vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine, Mr Ioannou reiterated "the position expressed unanimously by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Coronavirus that those who have already received the first dose of the vaccine should normally attend the appointment for the second dose, in order to complete their vaccination and to have the necessary coverage against both the virus and mutations". "We see that people in reprogramming are coming, there's no problem," he noted.
Regarding the protests of personal doctors of the GHS who had scheduled appointments to vaccinate their beneficiaries with the AstraZeneca vaccine, the Health Minister said that "information is expected from the Personal Physicians. People under 50 aren't many who want to. So it is up to the Personal Physicians themselves whether to return the AstraZeneca vaccines given if there are cancellations or some continue the program" and pointed out that "the use of the vaccine has not been banned, it is a recommendation made for the under-50s to use mRNA technology vaccines".
