Filenews 21 December 2021
Seven new measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus were decided today by the Council of Ministers, following the recommendations of the Advisory Scientific Committee.
In detail, the Ministry decided:
(a) the reopening of school units after the Christmas holidays on January 10th and on the way back everyone, without exception, students, teachers and other staff, should present a negative laboratory PCR test lasting 72 hours or a rapid antigen rapid test lasting 48 hours.
(b) the extension of all other provisions of the present Decree until January 15, 2022.
(c) As of December 22, 2021, all employees who have completed their vaccination program against Covid-19 or hold a certificate of disease (duration 180 days) are required to submit a negative PCR laboratory test or rapid antigen detection test with a duration of 7 days for their entry into their workplace. Workers who received the booster/3rd vaccine dose are excluded.
(d) As of December 22, 2021, all citizens before visiting homes in view of the Christmas holidays, are advised to conduct rapid antigen rapid test with negative result. People who have received at least two doses of vaccine may carry out a self-test, while persons who have not received any dose of the vaccine are advised to carry out a rapid antigen rapid test of 48 hours. It is recalled that presence in homes is allowed with a maximum of 20 people, including permanent residents and minors.
(e) the reduction of the time period of the COVID-19 disease certificate from 6 months (180 days) to 3 months (90 days) with effect from 31 January 2022.
(f) From December 22, 2021 until January 6, 2022,in view of the Christmas holidays, children aged 12-17 will be able to go to restaurants (including dining areas in shopping malls and hotels), theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas, indoor and outdoor courts, weddings and christenings with the presentation of a negative laboratory test PCR or Rapid a 72-hour test, provided that they are accompanied by a parent/guardian who has completed his/her vaccination program.
(g) For visitors and employees in day care facilities for vulnerable groups and day centres that are co-located in the same premises with nursing homes and other closed care and accommodation facilities for the elderly and vulnerable groups, the same measures apply that are in force in nursing homes and closed structures following the instructions of the Ministry of Health and the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare.
Announcing the new measures, the Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipantela, stated:
"Around the world, the variant of the Omikron coronavirus is spreading rapidly, with many countries tightening measures or even total lockdowns. In our country from the beginning, we have taken specific strict measures, in an effort to limit the spread of the virus in the community, to keep the economy alive and to give the opportunity to all of us to have Christmas with our loved ones. We must all be optimistic, let go of the 'I' and see the 'we', recognising the superhuman efforts being made on the part of doctors, nurses and scientists to defeat the invisible threat. Now is the time for all of us to show individual responsibility and to follow the measures and instructions of scientists.
In recent days, there has been a steadily increased number of daily cases and the burden is reflected in hospitalizations and therefore no complacency is allowed, as the appearance of positive cases of the Omikron variant in our country may burden the epidemiological picture, which has happened in other countries. The increase in the percentage of vaccinations recorded in recent days is a key parameter of the treatment and management of the pandemic. All age groups show an increase in the vaccination rate. Specifically, in the last 10 days, 8,390 people received the 1st dose of vaccine, 11,813 people received the 2nd dose of vaccine and 71,111 people received the booster/3rd dose of vaccine.
At the last meeting of the Ministry of Health with the members of the Advisory Scientific Committee, all the data recorded by the epidemiological indicators were analyzed and evaluated and the scientists' speeches were brought before the Council of Ministers. And it is for this reason that I want to publicly thank the members of the committee for the excellent cooperation that exists, always having as a view, the protection of public health and the prevention of the spread of the virus.
