Filenews 20 November 2021
Our goal is not to go to any lockdown and the only solution is to vaccinate the general population, health minister Michalis Hadjipantelas said on Saturday, without at the same time ruling out "some restriction on the movement" of unvaccinated persons.
The Minister also mentioned that he requested a meeting with the President of the Republic on Monday, before the meeting he will have with the Advisory Scientific Committee. As the CNA is informed, at the meeting he will inform President Anastasiades about the epidemiological picture of Cyprus, but also about the recommendations of the experts regarding the halting of the coronavirus pandemic.
In statements after a visit to the walk-in vaccination centre that opened today in Europe Square, Larnaca, the Minister thanked the Municipality and the Mayor of Larnaca "for the initiative to promote vaccination in the city, since it is an open secret that vaccination in Larnaca is at very low rates. People were given the opportunity today to come and be vaccinated, both with the first, second and third doses, while the results we have are very satisfactory.
The Minister sent "the message that the main way to end this pandemic and protect ourselves is vaccination. It's up to us to get vaccinated, get through this pandemic and spend Christmas without any restrictions we've had in recent years."
In response to a relevant question, Mr. Chatzipandelas said that "our goal is not to go to any lockdown but this goal will be achieved only with vaccinations and in compliance with the measures announced by the Ministry and will be announced in the coming days".
Asked where the Ministry is oriented regarding the measures to be taken, he replied that "we have done an analysis since last night when we had increased cases, where they come from and our goal is to stop these chains of transmission. Right now, we have chains for children under the age of 12 in schools, chains for people under the age of 20, as well as chains for people who are not vaccinated."
Our goal, he continued, is "with the measures we will take, always in consultation with the experts, to stop these chains".
Asked to report whether he is positive about the mandatory use of masks by primary school children in case they are found positive to the coronavirus, the Minister said that "I have mentioned the problems and based on them we will try to find the solutions, always in consultation with the experts".
When asked whether Cyprus might follow the example of other countries for lockdown in unvaccinated people, the Minister of Health replied that "one of the reasons for the virus is because some people have not decided to be vaccinated. We may not go into lockdown on the unvaccinated, but there may be some restriction on their movement."
Asked whether the unvaccinated will be given some leeway for a possible restriction on their movements, he said that "we will study it with the experts and come back"."
Asked how those who refuse to do so would be persuaded to be vaccinated, the Minister replied that "the situation around the world is clear. We all see what happens when someone is vaccinated and when they are unvaccinated. We gave enough time to these citizens, to be informed and vaccinated", he said and added that "we are constantly trying to inform them, but since for their own reasons they have decided not to be vaccinated, the Government and the Ministry will take any measures needed to protect the rest of the population".
In a journalist's remark that it seems that after almost two years of pandemic, the unvaccinated are not persuaded to proceed with the vaccine, Mr. Chatzipandelas said that "we said we respect but we will do everything possible to protect the vaccinated, not only the unvaccinated".
When asked if a proposal for the end of the safepass at 7 months is being considered, the Minister said that "there is this suggestion but we will discuss it on Monday afternoon with the experts".
On her part, the General Director of the Ministry of Health Christina Giannaki expressed her gratitude "to the Mayor of Larnaka for the concession of the space" and said that around 12.30 noon both at the specific vaccination centre in Europe Square, as well as at the one that exists at the Port of Larnaca, "the 670 people who were vaccinated have mainly received their second and third doses. Walk ins are important, as we are over 70,000 people, while in the over-40s we have reached around 60,000."
She added that by decision of the President of the Republic "from Monday the walk ins will start from 8 am to 6 pm and it is very important that people come to be vaccinated. The Ministry of Health will be present for these important programs it is doing aimed at shielding public health."
When asked what the Ministry of Health's goal is regarding the third dose of vaccination, Ms. Yiannaki replied that "our goal is as much as we can to vaccinate more people. Right now we are over 40,000 at 6,000 and that number needs to be doubled."
She also noted that "as far as children aged 12 to 15 are concerned, we are at a rate of 30.8%. It is low for us and we want to increase it, which is why lectures will start in schools and camps. We are doing everything we can from the Minister and the general manager's staff, we do everything we can and we deposit our soul for the well-understood interest of the country and public health in general.
Moreover, the Mayor of Larnaka, Andreas Vyras, who received today from the General Director of the Ministry of Health Christina Giannaki the third dose of the vaccine, thanked "Michalis Chatzipandelas for the very good cooperation we have so far at all levels concerning the coronavirus pandemic. The district of Larnaka is the lowest in vaccination rates and as a Local Government we want to help in the great effort made by the Ministry of Health, to increase the numbers of vaccinated people.
He added that "the most effective weapon we have in the face of the pandemic is vaccination, not only for our own health but also against people we love and that we must and must protect. That's why recently there are some videos of 20 personalities of the city and district of Larnaka, trying to give the message that we need to be vaccinated.
At the same time, he assured Mr. Chatzipandelas "that we are next to the Ministry of Health in this effort it is making to increase the rate of vaccinations in Larnaca. We still want to give the message that if we want this pandemic to end an hour earlier, to go back to our lives and protect the people we love, there is no other solution than vaccination."
Information from the CNA reports that a meeting of the Minister of Health on Monday afternoon with the Advisory Scientific Committee, various mild, for the time being, measures are on the table, including self-tests, the restriction of people in gatherings, teleworking, the implementation of targeted tests on both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, as well as the prohibition of entry of those unvaccinated to clubs, stadiums and theatres.
There is also information that the Ministry is oriented towards not holding school Christmas events, but also at cancelling Christmas events in all cities. If the situation continues to deteriorate, then, according to the same information, stricter measures may be taken.
