Filenews 31 July 2021 - by Marilena Panagi
As of tomorrow, the programmes for free rapid antigen detection tests for the general population are finally abolished, since the Council of Ministers has not finally revised its previous decision, which means that from Sunday, those citizens who wish to undergo a rapid test, either for SafePass purposes or for other reasons should contact the private clinical laboratories and pharmacies contracted with the Ministry of Health. , and will pay out of pocket up to €10 per exam.
However, the Government yesterday added to the list of categories excluded from paying a fee for carrying out tests, and citizens who are infected with coronavirus and not yet six months have passed since the day of their diagnosis. These categories include, inter alia, vaccinated people, citizens over 18 years of age who have health problems that do not allow them to be vaccinated, children 16 to 18 years of age whose parents do not consent to vaccination, and pregnant women who also remain unvaccinated for medical reasons.
At the same time, the Government, unsurprisingly, yesterday took other decisions, attempting to stem the spread of the virus among Cypriot citizens, once again through SafePass, as it indirectly imposed its mandatory application, in even more places and premises.
Specifically and in accordance with the decisions of the Council of Ministers from tomorrow:
-Reduces the maximum number of people required to demonstrate SafePass from 20 people to 10 people(including premises/business employees).
-SafePass is mandatory for all people aged 12 and over, including patients, visitors and employees, to enter public and private hospitals.
-It shall be compulsory to show a certificate of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 disease within the last 180 days or a negative result from a PCR examination valid for 72 hours by all persons aged 12 years and over, including workers and visitors, for entry into nursing homes and other closed structures.
-The holding of feasts is limited only to adjacent church grounds provided that all attendees own SafePass, including employees.
-Furthermore, the Council of Ministers decided that all 'non-permanent residents of the Republic entering through the legal gateways must undergo a PCR or rapid antigen test from the 7th day from the date of their arrival onwards'. From the examination, 'holders of a vaccination or recovery certificate from COVID-19 shall be excluded within the last 180 days'.
-With regard to vaccinations, the Council of Ministers, following the recommendation of the Scientific Advisory Committee, which met on Thursday evening at the request of the Minister of Health, decided to extend the vaccination programme to children aged 12 and over. Appointment arrangements will be possible from Monday, and mRNA vaccines (Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna) will be available.
As the Minister of Health pointed out in announcing the decision, "vaccination will be voluntary and with the necessary consent from parents or legal guardians". Already in several Countries of the European Union, such as France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania and Greece as of today, they are proceeding with the vaccination of children aged 12-15, in an effort to achieve greater protection of the population.
Announcing the relevant decisions, Health Minister Michalis Hatzipantellas stressed that at the moment the Government must overcome "two towering obstacles that threaten public health. One is the interception of the Delta mutation and the second is the reluctance of some of our fellow citizens to vaccinate," and he added, "unfortunately, the numbers are relentless: Over 400 of our fellow citizens have died of COVID-19 disease. Today, more than 80 of our fellow citizens are being treated in public hospitals in a serious condition. In addition to our 40 fellow citizens, he is in the Intensive Care Unit, a record number, and unprecedentedly tall for the data of our small country."
"The only way to protect ourselves and those around us from the virus, the Delta mutation, and other possible variants that will occur, is to complete our vaccination regimen. Danger lurks for everyone," he said, and called on "especially young people to bring down the wall and take the plunge. To protect grandparents, their parents, themselves and society as a whole in general."
In 1420, when the doctor was away on vacation
The procedure to be followed by citizens who are positive for the crown, the OA announced yesterday
As of today, the telephone service of beneficiaries of the GHS infected with the coronavirus and the personal doctors do not respond to their calls, either because they are absent on vacation or for other reasons. Line 1420 will be available to citizens over the weekend and citizens will be referred to the on-duty personal doctor to serve them.
In particular, and as stated in its communication, the Health Insurance Agency states, "in cases where beneficiaries with COVID-19 disease cannot be served by their PI during the weekend, they will call the number 1420 through which they will be referred to a personal physician participating in the telephone service programme. The programme will run for all weekends for August and September 2021 and will run from 31 July 2021." Telephone support will be provided from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
According to the OA, "the personal physician will give instructions and guidance to the patient by telephone and apply the protocol for treating patients with COVID-19 disease as determined by the Ministry of Health".
If the personal physician deems it necessary, "he will arrange himself the transfer of the patient with COVID-19 disease to a hospital by contacting the Ambulance Service".
In recommending recommendations, the Agency invites the beneficiaries of the GHS, "as they continue to address their own personal physicians first on any medical matter concerning them, including COVID-19 disease".
At the same time, he says, "in view of the epidemiological conditions of the pandemic and the pressure that our country's health system and especially the Accident and Emergency Departments – First Aid, it is very important that beneficiaries avoid attending THEP for non-emergencies and incidents that do not involve accidents. In the majority of cases, with the exception of accidents, problems should first be assessed by personal doctors before patients turn to the TDPs.".
In conclusion, the Agency "invites beneficiaries to cooperate with health professionals and follow the above guidelines aimed at their most effective service and support of the country's health system during this difficult time".
