|
During today’s meeting of the
Council of Ministers, I informed the President of the Republic and my fellow
Ministers on the epidemiological data of the last days. In particular, the
analysis of the evidence of traces of positive cases reveals influxes of cases
arising from places of increased assemblage and social events. Large chains
of positive cases within mainly young people where intense social activity is being observed.
At the same time, it has been
found that more than 90 % of COVID cases have either not completed their
vaccination scheme or have no history of vaccination, intensifying concerns
about virus mutations and the dispersion of the virus in the community.
Equally worrying is the fact that the majority of hospitalized patients are
individuals who have not been vaccinated, and as a result when they become
ill, they develop severe symptoms and require inpatient care.
In accordance with the above,
and with the aim of minimizing the possibility of transmission of the virus
in the areas of increased assemblage and social events, as well as
suppressing the diaspora, the Council of Ministers decided today the
following:
1. From 9 to 31 July, the
maximum number of individuals in indoor spaces shall be set at 250
individuals with necessary SafePass presentation or 350 individuals provided
that all individuals are vaccinated at least with the first dose and a period
of three weeks has elapsed, or have been infected with COVID-19 during the
last six months. It is understood that in each case the health protocol
applies to each establishment/sector.
2. From 9 to 31 July, the
maximum number of individuals in outdoor spaces shall be set at 350
individuals with necessary SafePass presentation or 500 individuals provided
that all individuals are vaccinated at least with the first dose and a period
of three weeks has elapsed, or have been infected with COVID-19 during the
last six months. It is understood that in each case the health protocol
applies to each establishment/sector.
3. Individuals aged 12-15
years, who cannot be vaccinated at this stage, and individuals 16 years and
over who cannot be vaccinated due to a serious medical problem, upon
presentation of the necessary medical certificate can be exempted and may
present a certificate of negative result from a PCR test or a rapid antigen
testing valid for 72 hours.
4. The places in which the
above will apply are the dining establishment, events or reception venues,
nightclubs, entertainment venues, music and dance venues, bars, discos,
theatres, amphitheatres, theatres, cinemas, religious places and stadiums,
excluding football stadiums.
5. Businesses/establishments
that will choose to accommodate only citizens who have been vaccinated or who
have been ill during the last six months, should ensure that this is noted in
a prominent area of the business/establishment, as well as inform citizens of
their decision.
6.The owner or the manager of
the business or the establishment is responsible for the implementation of
the SafePass and other health measures. It is stressed that the Police and
the authorized officers of the Services/Departments will continue to be
responsible for the control and supervision of the measures.
In addition, it is recalled
that, according to the decisions of the 2nd July, the following are
in force:
- Vacation allowance to those vaccinated from
July 15 to August 31. The details of the vacation allowance plan have
already been announced by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism.
- A five-day honorary leave to soldiers who have been
vaccinated or will be vaccinated until August 31st 2021. The
honorary leave will be granted both to the soldiers of the 2020 ESSO, as
well as to the conscripts of the 2021 ESSO. More details will be
announced today by the Ministry of Defence.
- Employees
of the public, wider public and private sector are granted a special
leave of absence on the whole day of their vaccination which will not be
deducted from the employee's annual leave of absence. If their
vaccination concerns a two-dose vaccine, this measure applies for both days
of vaccination. The same applies in the case of working parents/legal guardians
of minors who will accompany their minor(s) for
vaccination, provided that the parent/legal guardian presents a copy of
the child’s Vaccination Card for confirmation.
- From
July 9th until July 20th, entrance to football
games, at 50% of stadium capacity, will only be allowed for
individuals who have completed their vaccination scheme or have been
vaccinated with the 1st dose of the vaccine and three weeks
have elapsed, or for individuals holding a negative PCR test result
valid for 72 hours, or for individuals who have been infected with
COVID-19 during the last six months. Minors aged 12-15 who cannot be
vaccinated at the present stage are exempted from this decision, and may
present a negative rapid test result valid for 72 hours. In addition,
exempted from this decision are also individuals aged 16 and over who
cannot be vaccinated because of serious health problems, by presenting a
medical certificate verifying the reason they cannot get vaccinated.
These individuals may present a negative rapid test result valid for 72
hours.
- As of
July 21st, entrance to football games, at 75% of stadium capacity, will
be allowed only for individuals who have completed their vaccination
scheme and for individuals who have contracted COVID-19 in the last six
months. Minors aged 12-15 and individuals aged 16 and over who cannot be
vaccinated because of serious health problems, are exempted from the
decision and may present a negative rapid test result, as described
above.
- Abolishment of the provision of free rapid antigen
testing as of August 1st. Minors
aged 12-15 and individuals aged 16 and over who are not allowed to get
vaccinated because of serious health problems, are exempted from the
decision.
- As of
August 1st 2021, passengers who are Cypriot citizens and permanent
residents of the Republic of Cyprus must follow the protocols that apply
for all passengers, unless they have been vaccinated with the 1st dose
of the vaccine. Specifically, only individuals vaccinated with the 1st
dose of the vaccine will be allowed to undergo a molecular test at the
airports of the Republic upon arrival in Cyprus. This means that, if
they are not vaccinated with at least the 1st dose of the
vaccine or have no certificate of recovery and will travel from
countries of the Orange and Red Category, must present a valid for 72
hours negative PCR test result from their country of origin. Minors aged
12-15 and individuals aged 16 and over who are not allowed to get
vaccinated because of serious health problems, are exempted from the
decision.
In addition, I would like to
express my gratitude to the private companies and public law organisations
who, as part of their corporate social responsibility, will provide
incentives for young people to promote vaccination. More information will be
announced by the Commissioner for Citizen in the coming days.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The burden on epidemiological
indicators requires careful application of personal protection measures and
health protocols. We need to remember in any case that the virus is still among
us and only with responsibility and discipline will we prevent its spread,
for the benefit of the whole society.
On this occasion, I would like
to call on our fellow citizens who have not yet proceeded with their
vaccination, to do so as soon as possible, in order to protect themselves and
contribute in this way to the building of immunity in the community that will
allow everyone to return to functional normality safely.
(MG/EK)
|
