Filenews 30 December 2021
A difficult year was 2021 following 2020 for Cyprus, as for the rest of the world, with the coronavirus pandemic galloping, occasionally recording large numbers of daily cases causing death in some cases.
Citizens have experienced lockdowns and the imposition of restrictive measures again, deprived of their basic freedoms in the shadow of fear of the pandemic. Measures that brought fatigue and pressure on people, resulting in protests. Mutations of the British strain, Delta, increased hospitalizations and also recorded deaths. The climax was the advent of Omikron, a mutation for which so far there is no exact evidence.
Hope for a way out of the crisis gave the vaccines. During 2021, the vaccination program continued intensively and huge efforts were made to dissuade the undecided. With the advent of Omikron, December 2021 recorded negative records of daily cases since the start of the pandemic.
January – Cyprus in lockdown
January 2021 found Cyprus in lockdown and in the red zone. On 8.1.2021, the Minister of Health announced stricter measures by the end of the month to contain the pandemic.
Specifically, the new measures provided for a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day and a ban on gatherings, public or social events with travel being made only by text message and up to two text messages per day per person.
Mandatory teleworking was implemented in the public and wider public sector and local government with the exception of essential services, while the Divine Liturgy in the sacred places of religious worship was performed without the presence of believers. Also, education at all levels was conducted remotely.
The decree providing for the mandatory quarantine in hotels of the Republic for people arriving from the United Kingdom for a period of 7 days was also renewed until 10 January.
On 3.1.2021, the new strain of coronavirus was also detected in Cyprus from Britain.
Almost 100% occupancy at Famagusta General Hospital, which operates as a Reference Hospital for coronavirus patients, reached almost 100%,
In the meantime, the vaccination program aimed at protecting vulnerable groups and health professionals continued.
On 27.1.2021, the Minister of Health announced that gradually from February 1st, the relaxation of the restrictive measures to address the Covid-19 pandemic will begin with the opening of primary/third Lyceum and retail trade gradually.
On 28.1.2021, the mandatory weekly rapid test of employees was implemented.
February – Gradual lifting of restrictive measures
From February 1, the 1st phase of the strategy for lifting the restrictive measures against the coronavirus began. On 2.2.2021 it was decided to test with rapid tests of employees in businesses and school units. On 8.2.2021 Cyprus entered the second phase of the gradual lifting of the restrictive measures. On 17.2.2021 we had restarted flights and reopened airports with additional security measures. It was also decided to reopen the operation of schools for A' and B' Lyceum students.
March – Hope for exiting the pandemic due to vaccinations
Indicative was the statement of the President of the Republic on 6.3.2021 that the hope for a return to everyday life is growing, as vaccinations reached 100,000.
On 7.3.2021 there was a protest in Limassol against the measures for the pandemic, while a protest was organized by a group of parents in the free Famagusta for the rapid tests.
In the meantime, the CSO drew up a plan to increase the number of beds for COVID-19 cases to 300 with the assistance of the private sector.
On 15.3.2021 Cyprus postponed vaccinations with AstraZeneca due to the reactions to its suitability to resume on 19.3.2021 following the recommendations of the European Medicines Agency.
On 16.3.2021, new relaxations were made with the epidemiological picture burdened, but also the epidemiological picture was opened and restaurants were opened.
On 18.3.2021, the Minister of Health announced that the British strain is spreading large in Cyprus and made a new appeal for compliance with measures.
On 22.3.2021, Middle parents outside the Presidential Palace asked for the reopening of the gymnasiums.
On 29.3.2021 it was decided that sampling should be carried out nasally on minors in Lyceums, Special Schools and sampling points.
April – Back to lockdown
From the beginning of April, new relaxations were put in place in the restrictive measures that would then be overturned with a global lockdown due to a new increase in cases that reached 705, with 199 patients being treated in hospitals.
On 2.4.2021, the Gymnasiums all over Cyprus and the Primary Schools of Limassol reopened with physical presence, which had been closed after the detection of large coronavirus chains.
On 9.4.2021, President Anastasiades, on a visit to Famagusta General Hospital, appealed to people to be vaccinated.
On 15.4.2021 with AstraZeneca vaccinated the Cabinet in a sign that this vaccine is harmless.
On 22.4.2021 it was decided that, personal doctors vaccinate citizens in their practice with AstraZeneca vaccine.
On 23.4.2021 due to the pressure on hospitals, the Minister of Health announced a universal lockdown for 2 weeks.
In April it was also decided that only with vaccines and 72-hour tests will be allowed to be present in places where there is a gathering.
May – 7 people died on Easter Monday
On 3.5.2021, Easter Monday, seven people died due to COVID-19
On 5.5.2021 relaxations in covid-19 measures from May 10 with the end of lockdown decided the Cabinet, with the abolition of sending a text message for movement but introduced the safepass (vaccination, immunity or 72-hour test) as a condition for entering many places.
On 10.5.2021 the safepass was put into operation.
On 19.5.2021, after laboratory tests, the Indian and South African strain of coronavirus in Cyprus was identified.
By 31.5.2021 vaccination with the first dose reached 53%.
June – The barricades were opened and the relaxations continued
On 4.6.2021, the barricades were opened after almost 15 months of under-operation due to measures for the pandemic. On the same day, new relaxations in measures against the coronavirus came into force.
On 10.6.2021 the curfew was ended and nightclubs reopened, while on 16.6.2021 it was decided to have fans in matches of all sports.
On 23.6.2021 the Ministry of Health expressed its concern that more than 90% of hospitalized patients are unvaccinated while there is a low vaccination rate of young people.
July – Incentives for youngsters to get vaccinated
On 2.7.2021 for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, the median age of cases was 23 years, according to the National Report,
On 5.7.2021, the decree granting permission to employees for vaccination was published in an effort to strengthen the vaccination program.
On 16.7.2021 incentives were given by 13 companies and organizations to vaccinate people up to 30 years of age.
On 18.7.2021 after the end of a protest against the measures for the pandemic outside the Presidential Palace, the DIAS complex and the tv station "Sigma" were violently attacked by a group of people.
As of July 20, according to the Ministry of Health, 70.4% of the adult population was vaccinated against coronavirus.
On 30.7.2021, the Council of Ministers lit a green light for vaccination of people aged 12 years and over.
By 31.7.2021, according to the Ministry of Health, the Delta variant was fully prevalent in the community.
On 31.7.2021, the Minister of Health stated that it is the obligation of the unvaccinate to pay for rapid tests if they have decided not to be vaccinated.
August – Abolition of free rapid test on unvaccinated and pressure on hospitals
On 1.8.2021, the free rapid tests on unvaccinated people were abolished. On 4.8.2021 they exceeded 1 million. vaccinations in Cyprus. On 6.8.2021, the Spokesman of the Organization of State Health Services (CYSEC) Charalambos Charilaou stated that the hospitalizations in the Intensive Care Unit broke every previous record.
September – Administration of a third dose
On 2.9.2021, the Council of Ministers decided to administer a third dose of mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 to people over 65 years of age, residents of nursing homes and health professionals, provided that a period of 6 months has elapsed since the completion of their vaccination regimen.
It was also decided to reopen the academic institutions with a physical presence at 2/3 of the occupancy with the necessary demonstration of safepass and extension of the existing measures until September 22.
On 7.9.2021, the planning of non-emergency surgeries was resumed following a decision of the Council of Ministers.
The Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipantelas, stated in September that "after two months in the 'red', the numbers show that we are on the right track to stop the gallop of the deadly virus and its mutations. The situation in our public hospitals is very good and hospitalizations are constantly decreasing."
On 14.9.2021 the Minister of Health stated that continuous is the effort for vaccination coverage, 80% have been vaccinated with the 1st dose.
October – Cyprus back in the "red"
On 8.10.2021 targeted relaxations in the restrictive measures in order to minimize the possibility of spreading the virus in the community, decided the Council of Ministers.
Among the relaxations were the increased presence of spectators at football matches at 75% occupancy of the stadium's capacity under certain conditions, the increase in the number of spectators in theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas and showrooms and patrons in premises and social event venues, hotels, bars, nightclubs, as well as the faithful in churches.
On 8.10.2021 the first Clinic for long COVID patients was put into operation.
On 10.10.2021 a big walk – in operated in Lanitio.
On 15.10.2021, the age limit was reduced to 60 years and new vulnerable groups were added for the administration of the 3rd dose of the vaccine against COVID-19, following a decision of the Council of Ministers.
As of October 14, 29,897 people were vaccinated with the 3rd dose.
On 21.10.2021 Cyprus is back in the red on the epidemiological map of ECDC.
On 25.10.2021, the Delta+ mutation was detected in two samples from 279.
November – 3rd vaccine dose from 18 years of age and older, occurrence of Omikron
On 4.11.2021, the Council of Ministers decided to extend the measures against the spread of COVID-19, as well as to extend the age limit for vaccination with a booster dose to 50 years.
On 10.11.2021, the Council of Ministers approved a proposal by the Minister of Health for the granting of rest leave to working citizens who are vaccinated with a booster dose.
On 11.11.2021 two new drugs against COVID-19 (Ronapreve and Regkirona) were approved by the European Medicines Agency.
On 12.11.2021, according to the National Report, Limassol had the highest mortality rate of COVID-19 patients and the 10-19 year old group the most burdened with diagnoses of coronavirus cases.
On 15.11.2021, the Minister of Health and the Advisory Scientific Committee decided "no" to taking more stringent measures, while a decision of the Council of Ministers for a booster dose of covid-19 vaccine from 18 years of age and above was announced.
On 20.11.2021, President Anastasiades stated that "some people must finally understand that the time has come to realize that individual is also a social responsibility", while he announced a tightening of measures against the pandemic, in order to avoid a total lockdown.
On 24.11.2021 new measures decided by the Ministry, which came into force from November 29 to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
Among other things, the age limit for wearing a mask was reduced to 6 years and all people aged 6-11 will have to present a Safe Pass, while from December 13th all citizens will be given the opportunity to conduct a self-test.
On 26.11.2021 the Ministry of Health decided to ban entry into Cyprus in African countries due to the new Omikron mutation.
December– Tightening of measures, advent of Omikron
On 2.12.2021 six measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus, announced the Government.
Among other things, it was decided that from 6 December to 10 January 2022, all passengers entering Cyprus will undergo a mandatory PCR test with the cost of €15/€19 to be borne by the passenger, to telework for 20% of the staff of each company or organization in the service sector excluding essential services, suspension of presentations of reservists and national guardsmen as well as suspension of all events inside and outside shopping centres.
On 2.12.2021 by Decree, the Ministry of Health postponed non-essential surgery.
By 11.12.2021, a total of 5 cases of "Omikron" were detected in Cyprus.
Protests were recorded as well as attacks on schools by protesting parents over the measures imposed on children.
On 13.12.2021, the Ministry decided nine new measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus, with emphasis on children and non-vaccinated people, with the most important ones being the decision to vaccinate children aged 5-11, close contacts, entrance to events such as weddings and christenings, as well as to dining areas within hotels, which will only be allowed to vaccinated people who should also have done either a rapid test or a PCR, as well as reducing the period for administration of the 3rd dose from 6 months to 5 months and two weeks.
On 17.12.2021, the Ministry of Health announced that 28 samples with the Omikron mutation have been identified in Cyprus.
In his statements on 20.12.2021, President Anastasiades said that "if the measures for the pandemic are not observed, we will inevitably be led to stricter ones.
On 21.12.2021, the Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipantelas, announced the new measures decided by the Council of Ministers with the aim of limiting the spread of the virus in view of the Christmas holidays.
Specifically, among other things, it decided to reopen the school units after the Christmas holidays on January 10th. On return, all students, teachers and other staff, without exception, should present a negative laboratory PCR test lasting 72 hours or a rapid antigen rapid test lasting 48 hours.
Moreover, as of December 22, 2021, all employees who have completed their vaccination program against COVID-19 or hold a certificate of disease (duration of 180 days) are required to submit a negative PCR laboratory test or rapid antigen rapid test with a duration of 7 days to enter their workplace. Workers who received the booster/3rd dose of vaccine are excluded.
It was also decided to reduce the time period of the COVID-19 disease certificate from 6 months (180 days) to 3 months (90 days) with effect from January 31, 2022.
On 27.12.2021, the negative record of 1,925 COVID-19 cases occurred, while on 28.12.2021, 2,241 cases were recorded.
On 29.12.2021, the day that 3,002 cases were recorded, the Council of Ministers held an extraordinary meeting in the evening to take measures. It was preceded by a meeting of the Minister of Health with the members of the Advisory Scientific Committee, where the experts submitted suggestions.
The Ministry decided to tighten the control measures at the entrance gates of the Republic, abolish the safe pass to those who have not completed their vaccination program and additional measures to limit transmission in gathering places, and teleworking for 40% of the staff of each company or organization in the service sector.
As of 29.12.2021 the total number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic was 157,928 with 635 deaths.
CNA
