Filenews 30 November 2021 - by Marilena Panagi
With a short list of suggestions, the Minister of Health goes to the Council of Ministers tomorrow, since, as we are informed, the government's intention, at this stage, is to ensure first the adequacy of beds in public hospitals, and to leave any restrictive measures for the continuation, if of course this is required by the epidemiological data.
The list of Michalis Hadjipantelas' recommendations will again include teleworking in the public and private sector on the basis of a percentage, since the scientists have reinstated the recommendation they had made last week but was not accepted by the majority of the members of the Ministry.
On the table and a proposal for Christmas events only outdoors and provided that all participants regardless of vaccination history will present a negative result after a test that will be submitted with a rapid antigen test (rapid-test) of 48 hours.
In addition, in the Ministry, if of course the data does not change by tomorrow, the Minister of Health will submit a proposal for stricter controls at all entry gates and specifically, at airports, all passengers regardless of origin will undergo a molecular test and not a rapid antigen detection test.
At the same time, a negative test result, molecular or rapid detection will be required by all those who arrive in Cyprus either at the ports or at the marinas in operation, while the Government will also proceed to the tightening of controls on all roadblocks for Cypriot citizens, and the implementation of the measure of mandatory presentation of a negative result, a molecular test for non-Cypriots.
As far as hospitals are concerned, as reported by "F", the increase of the available number of beds for coronavirus patients by 50% is underway and at the same time, as already announced, from Thursday all scheduled, non-urgent surgeries are postponed.
Yesterday's meeting of the Minister of Health Michalis Hadjipantelas with the members of the Advisory Scientific Committee, moved, as we are informed in three axis:
-The epidemiological data of Cyprus
-The mutation "Omikron"
-The submission of suggestions for additional measures
As far as the "Omikron" mutation is concerned, the scientists have probably recommended calmness, pointing out that it is too early to draw safe conclusions. They agreed, however, with the need to take additional measures at the entry gates of Cyprus, in order to prevent, or at least delay as much as possible, the spread of the new strain of the virus in Cypriot society.
During the meeting, some of the scientists expressed their opposition to the government's decisions concerning the abolition of SafePass for those fully vaccinated with the lapse of 7 months from the day of the second dose, while some also pointed out the fact that some of the measures that have been decided, intensify the division in Cypriot society. However, there were also members of the Advisory Scientific Committee who agreed to this measure, supporting extreme tactics which, of course, were rejected by the majority of the participants.
For the strong reactions in the field of education after the imposition of the new measures of the Government, only small reports were made, despite the fact that again some of the scientists expressed their disagreement.
The suggestions agreed yesterday between the Minister of Health and the members of the TEU are expected to be led tomorrow by Michalis Hadjipantelas to the Council of Ministers, which will take the final decisions.
Before the Cabinet, however, it is not to be expected that a proposal for the vaccination of children aged 5-11 will be put before the Ministry for the time being, despite the fact that the national vaccination committee had taken a decision last week.
They will come back if needed for "Omikron"
In his statements, the Minister of Health stressed that if necessary and depending on the international developments surrounding the mutation "Omikron", the members of the TEU will meet again in order to study the situation "under the chairmanship of the head of the Committee Konstantinos Tsioutis". The Minister of Health also referred to the TEU for the evaluation of the epidemiological data, as they will be formed in the coming days.
Regarding the recommendations that will be put before the Ministry, Michalis Hadjipantelas mentioned that "for the barricades and the tightening of controls, there will be an agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and certainly with the Bicommunal Committee on Health". He clarified that "there is no question of closing the barricades at this time" and explained that "we do not mean closing the barricades. We say that the controls for Cypriot citizens and non-Cypriots should be tightened, it will be mandatory to show a molecular test, as will be the case at airports.
For the Christmas events, the Minister of Health said that "these will only be allowed outdoors provided that all participants present a negative result, whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated", while as he said, "we have agreed to have mandatory molecular testing at all airports, we will also have a test with molecular testing and with rapid - test at other entrance gates, such as ports, from cruise ships and marinas".
On schools and strong reactions from parents, the health minister said we have two options: "To follow the advice of experts, doctors, epidemiologists, which is to wear the mask or not to take these measures and close schools. We choose the first one, to take these measures, because according to experts around the world, they are painless measures, and to keep schools open." Asked if he considers the reactions of organised parents to be exaggerated, the health minister did not want to comment. "We make decisions to protect the population."
Dr Konstantinos Tsioutis: Vaccination should be assisted by other measures
The Health Organization must be assisted by other measures", stressed the head of the AE, Konstantinos Tsioutis. "We must adopt the who's campaign of 'plus vaccines' and that is the direction we are now moving in, on the occasion of the new mutation, the 'Omikron' mutation. That is why the recommendations made today are to strengthen controls and to identify as many positive cases as possible in a timely manner.
Do not forget that, we already have a very contagious strain to deal with, the strain of "Delta" and for this we must meticulously apply the personal protection measures that we constantly stress. Regarding the new mutation, he said that, "we expect more data to understand the characteristics of this variant and the suggestions made are to strengthen the tests, the valid detection, but also to reduce the likelihood of transmission and not only of "Omikron" but also of any other variant", while he recalled that we already have among us a very contagious variant, the stem "Delta".
When asked if the new mutation is more contagious but with mild symptoms, Mr. Tsioutis stressed that it is too early to say anything, as these are local observations in some countries and regions where the strain "Delta" did not prevail.
