Filenews 31 August 2022
Decisions concerning the management of the pandemic were taken today by the Council of Ministers, which were announced by the Minister of Health, Michalis Hatzipantelas.
Specifically, the Council of Ministers decided:
a) as of August 31, 2022, the suspension of the obligation to use a protective mask indoors, excluding high-risk areas such as hospitals, nursing homes, closed structures for vulnerable groups, health service areas (outpatient clinics, medical and diagnostic centres, chemistry, rehabilitation centres), pharmacies and public transport.
- It is recommended to use a mask in crowded places, in people who fall into the vulnerable groups of the population and in people who socialize with high-risk people.
(b) from 31 August 2022, the increase of capacity in catering establishments, entertainment venues, retail businesses, shopping malls, churches, places of religious worship, conferences, trade fairs, stadiums and casinos to 100% of their capacity.
c) the free availability of a package of self-tests (5 self-tests) to children attending Primary Education (Pre-primary Education).
- It is emphasized that the package will be made available to students at the beginning of the school year
The Council of Ministers recommends the following:
a) as all students, teachers and staff of all school units (kindergartens, primary and secondary education) before their return to schools for the beginning of classes, undergo a self-test or a rapid antigen test (Rapid test).
- It is emphasized that sampling points of the Ministry of Health will carry out random sampling tests in school units in all provinces.
- as all citizens regardless of vaccination coverage undergo a self-test or rapid antigen test once a week.
Also, the Council of Ministers approved the 15% increase in the incentive paid to beneficiaries of the Incentive Scheme to HIV-positive persons.
Earlier, the Minister of Health stated that "I am pleased to report that after 3 years of the pandemic we are able to proceed to significant relaxations of the current measures, since the epidemiological data show a significant improvement in our country. However, encouraging developments must not lead to complacency and non-observance of personal protection measures.
We all need to recognize that collective and individual responsibility has contributed greatly to the proper management and treatment of the pandemic.
The Medical and Public Health Services, in collaboration with the members of the Advisory Scientific Committee, have proceeded to the preparation of the Roadmap: "COVID-19: Maintaining Preparedness and Response", which includes actions aimed at protecting public health, while keeping society and the economy open and resilient. Among other things, we will continue to inform citizens about the necessity of observing personal protection measures and about the benefits offered by vaccination against COVID-19.
