Filenews 8 October 2021
During today's meeting, the Council of Ministers was briefed by the Minister of Health, Mr. Michalis Hadjipantelas, on the current epidemiological situation in our country. Specifically, Mr. Chatzipandelas informed the Council of Ministers that a steady improvement in epidemiological and hospital indicators is currently being recorded, with a decrease in the number of cases, hospitalized and deaths.
However, as the Minister of Health explained, it is appropriate in the near future to have targeted relaxations in the measures that are in force. The change of weather conditions in the coming days, as well as the estimates of the scientific community, which refer to a possible outbreak of seasonal infections in the winter season at the same time as the existence ofCOVID-19,require the careful lifting of restrictions in order to minimize the likelihood of spreading the virus in the community.
Taking into account all the above, but also the fact that additional time needs to be given to increase the number of citizens vaccinated with the 3rd dose and belong to the groups with an increased risk of serious illness, the Council of Ministers took the following decisions
1. Presence of spectators at football matches: The presence of spectators in football matches is allowed at a capacity of 75% of the stadium's capacity, provided that one of the following conditions is met:- Certificate of full vaccination (vaccination with all 2 doses or vaccination with the single-dose vaccine of the Johnson&Johnson after two weeks), or
- Certificate of recovery from COVID-19 in the last six (6) months, either
- Certificate of negative result from PCR examination with validity of 72 hours.
a) a maximum of 300 people indoors with the necessary presentation of a SafePass, or
(b) a maximum of 350 people outdoors with the necessary presentation of a SafePass, or
(c) with 75% occupancy of the capacity of the premises, provided that only people with a certificate of full vaccination or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 enter the premises for the last six months or with a certificate of negative PCR test result valid for 72 hours.
3. Operation of premises/spaces and conduct of social events: In compliance with the distancing measures and the respective health protocols and provisions of the current Decree, the following apply:(a) increase of the maximum number of indoor persons from 250 to 300 people, with the necessary presentation of a SafePass, or
(b) increase of the maximum number of persons indoors from 450 to 500 people, provided that only people with a certificate of full vaccination or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 enter the premises for the last 6 months.
(c) an increase in the number of persons per table from 10 to 12.
The above changes in the maximum number of people apply to the following:
- Presence of believers during the congregation and/or other forms of religious worship,
- Weddings, baptisms and funerals,
- Conduct of events, including weddings and christenings in restaurants, venues for events and receptions, hotels and/or tourist accommodation, nightclubs, nightclubs, nightclubs and music and dance venues;
- Dining areas: restaurants, taverns, cafes, pubs, snack-bars and bars, cafes, dining areas within shopping centres, dining areas within hotels and tourist accommodation, canteens and/or sports clubs, cultural groups, clubs, clubs, etc.,
- Nightclubs, banquet venues, discotheques, nightclubs and music and dance venues,
- Presence of spectators in matches held in stadiums and sports facilities (excluding football fields).
The above decisions come into force on Saturday, October 9th, and will be regulated by Decree.
The Ministry of Health continues to closely monitor the progress of epidemiological indicators and re-evaluates the data as they are formed on a regular basis. The aim is the maximum possible shielding and protection that will allow us to adequately respond to the needs that may be created in view of winter.
