Filenews 7 March 2022
A new revised plan for the readjustment of measures against COVID-19, in which more short-stay areas are added for essentials, which will not require a safepass, will be implemented from Tuesday, March 8.
Moreover, according to the decisions of the Council of Ministers, from March 8, virus-positive people will be able to be released on the 7th day, provided that they will obtain a negative test (Rapid or PCR). If the result is positive, the process may be repeated until negative, or until the 10th day of self-isolation. The decision shall have retroactive effect.
Also, as of March 8, 2022, close contacts of a confirmed positive case that have not been isolated from the virus-positive person (e.g. parents who are watching a minor child, etc.) instead of remaining in confinement for 10+7 days, may after the release of the case on the 7th day be subjected to a test (Rapid or PCR) and if they ensure a negative result they will be released. The decision shall have retroactive effect.
Moreover, as of tomorrow, Tuesday, the capacity in retail businesses, casinos, gyms is increased, while the maximum number of people at events including weddings and christenings is increased to 500 people, provided that the area of the space allows the ratio of 1.5 sq.m per person. The ban on holding student parades is also lifted.
As announced by the Ministry of Health, as of Tuesday, March 8, no safepass will be required in supermarkets, grocery stores, butcher shops, fruit markets, businesses serving customers of less than 100 square meters, Take Away services, pharmacies, bakeries and kiosks.
High-risk venues include nightclubs and music and dance centres, serving 150 people or more, as well as restaurants serving 150 people or more with a dance floor.
The medium-risk areas include nightclubs and music and dance centres serving less than 150 and restaurants serving 150 people or more without a dance floor or serving less than 150 people with a dance floor or without a dance floor.
In addition, the same category includes the conduct of events, including weddings and christenings in restaurants, serving less than 150 people (1 person per 1.5 sq.m.), hotels, tourist accommodation, stadiums (70% capacity), places of worship (70% capacity), gyms (1 person per 3 sq.m.), casinos (70% capacity), barbershops, hairdressers, beauty and tattoo centres (1 person per 4 sq.m.), public transport and the holding of conferences and trade fairs (70% capacity).
Low-risk areas include theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas, entertainment halls (75% capacity), schools, Higher Educational Institutions, shopping centres (1 person per 4 sq.m.), gaming and betting businesses (1 person per 4 sq.m.), retail trade (1 person per 4 sq.m.), banks (1 person per 4 sq.m.), businesses/organizations serving the public (1 person per 4 sq.m.), archaeological sites, museums, historical sites and galleries (1 person per 4 sq.m.), playgrounds (1 person per 4 sq.m.), bazaars, festivals and the conduct of examinations.
Moreover, according to the competent Ministry, people without a history of vaccination or have completed their vaccination program and the period of 7 months has elapsed or hold a certificate of disease and the period of 90 days has elapsed, they must hold a Rapid test of 24 hours or a PCR test of 48 hours in high-risk areas, while for people 6-17 years old the obligation concerns Rapid or PCR test of 72 hours.
In areas of medium risk they must hold a Rapid test of 48 hours or a PCR test of 72 hours, while for people 6-17 years old the obligation concerns Rapid or PCR test of 72 hours.
In low-risk areas, a Rapid test of 72 hours or a PCR test of 72 hours is required, while for people 6-17 years old the obligation concerns Rapid or PCR test of 72 hours and for primary school students the obligation concerns Rapid or PCR twice a week.
For individuals who have received an adjuvant/3rd dose of vaccine, or who have received two doses for dosing vaccines, or one dose for JJ and the period of 7 months has not elapsed, or who hold a certificate of disease and the 90-day period has not elapsed, they must hold a Rapid test of 48 hours or a 72-hour PCR test in high-risk areas. while for people 6-17 years old the obligation concerns Rapid or PCR test of 72 hours.
