Filenews 21 April 2022 - by Marilena Panagi
Finally, SafePass for most places, finally the quarantine for the unvaccinated who are close contacts, the mask for primary school children is abolished, safepass for children under 12 years of age is abolished, the "Test to stay" program is suspended for all students. Outdoor dining workers will not be required to wear a mask, while the Easter table can be scheduled without restrictions.
Relaxations, which will be implemented in two phases, decided yesterday the Council of Ministers, with the Government rather oriented to lift all restrictions by June. The first phase of the relaxations provides for the implementation of part of yesterday's decisions from tomorrow, while the second phase concerns the relaxations that will be implemented from 15 May.
Specifically and as announced yesterday by the Minister of Health Michalis Hadjipantelas, the Ministry decided that:
From Good Friday
- SafePass demonstration is suspended in outdoor areas of catering premises and nightclubs.
- The limit of people per table in restaurants and the limit of people in gatherings in homes are abolished.
- The obligation to use a protective mask to employees employed in outdoor dining and entertainment areas is suspended.
From 15 May
- The mandatory demonstration of SafePass is suspended in all areas, except nightclubs, music and dance centres, nursing homes, closed structures, hospitals, medical centres, clinics and rehabilitation cenrers (as far as visitors are concerned).
- Visits to nursing homes, closed facilities, hospitals will be allowed upon presentation of a rapid test valid for 48 hours and a PCR valid for people who do not hold a valid vaccination or disease certificate, and no obligation for people holding a valid vaccination or disease certificate.
- The obligation of self-isolation is also suspended for those who are close contacts of a confirmed case.
- The obligation to wear a protective mask on children under 12 years of age is suspended.
- The application of the "test to stay" measure for students and teachers of all levels of education (kindergartens, special schools and pre-primary schools, elementary schools, gymnasiums, lyceums, technical schools) is suspended.
- Mandatory SafePass demonstration for all students is suspended.
- Increased capacity in restaurants and entertainment venues. Specifically, for premises up to 500 sq. m. at 100% of the capacity and premises over 500 sq. m. at 85% of the capacity, with a ratio of one person per square metre.
- The occupancy of stadiums and casinos is increased to 85% of their capacity.
Furthermore, as of May 15, as decided by the Cabinet:
- Employees of hospitals, clinics, medical centres, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes and closed structures, who do not hold a valid vaccination or disease certificate, will show a rapid test or a PCR valid for 48 hours. For employees who hold a valid vaccination or disease certificate, it is recommended to perform a self-testing test once a week.
The Council of Ministers also made specific recommendations.
- It is recommended that all citizens regardless of their vaccination history undergo a self-diagnosis test or a Rapid antigen test once a week. To this end, the Ministry decided to set a maximum charge price limit (cap) on the packaging of 5 self-testing tests at the price of €6.
- It is recommended to administer a booster (4th) dose of vaccine to people aged 60 years and older, provided that the period of 5 months has elapsed since receiving the 3rd dose of vaccine.
Finally, as far as the Health System is concerned, the Minister of Health announced that as of Good Friday the private hospitals "Apollonio", "Aretaeio", "Mediterranean", "American Medical Centre" and Polyclinic "Hygeia" have at least two beds exclusively for patients who have come for hospitalization for another reason and have been diagnosed positive to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
