New relaxations were announced by the Health Minister yesterday, just before the Easter holidays, bringing our country closer and closer to normality, since the epidemiological indicators gave positive indications.
Relaxations that finally allow celebrations for Easter as well, like before coronavirus, something that everyone missed due to the restrictions imposed in the previous two years, with only a few people at the table or even without them, in the first year of the pandemic.
"The relaxations of the measures against the pandemic should not cancel the efforts we have been making since March 2020. The suspension of restrictions is not the same as ending the pandemic," was the message sent by Michael Hadjipandela signalling a new era.
The first package of measures comes into force from Good Friday tomorrow, while the second comes into force on May 15.
In detail, the relaxations:
a) from 22 April 2022, suspension of the Safe Pass to outdoor dining and entertainment venues.
b) from 22 April 2022, abolition of the limit of persons at a table in restaurants and the limit of persons at gatherings in residences.
c) from 22 April 2022, suspension of the requirement to wear a protective mask for employees working in outdoor dining and entertainment areas.
Note that the presence of worshippers in temples remains unchanged with capacity at 75%, use of a mask inside the temple and display of a safepass.
New more generous relaxations were announced with a milestone date of 15 May. According to the Cabinet decisions, from mid-May the following will apply. Excluded are entertainment centres, music and dance halls and visitors to nursing homes, closed structures, nursing homes, medical centres, dispensaries and rehabilitation centres.
b) From 15 May 2022, visits to nursing homes, closed structures, nursing homes will be allowed upon presentation of a 48-hour Rapid test and a 72-hour PCR for persons who do not hold a valid certificate of vaccination or disease, and no requirement for persons who hold a valid certificate of vaccination or disease (medium surveillance category requirements).
c) Effective May 15 2022, as of May 15 2022, suspend the self-limitation requirement for individuals who are close contacts of a confirmed positive case and do not hold a valid certificate of vaccination or disease. It is recommended that all close contacts of virus positive individuals undergo testing on the 3rd and 5th day of contact.
d) from 15 May 2022, the suspension of the requirement to wear a protective mask on children under 12 years of age.
e) from 15 May 2022, the suspension of the test to stay measure for pupils and teachers in primary and secondary education (kindergartens, special schools and pre-primary schools).
g) from 15 May 2022, the suspension of the measure of compulsory Safe Pass to students attending all school levels.
h) as of May 15 2022, it is recommended that all citizens regardless of vaccination history undergo a (self-test) or rapid antigen detection test (Rapid test) once a week.
as of May 15 2022, the increase of capacity in food and entertainment venues. Specifically, for premises up to 500sq.m. to 100% of the capacity and for premises over 500sq.m. to 85% of the capacity (ratio: 1 person per sq.m.).
j) from 15 May 2022, such employees of nursing homes, dispensaries, medical centres, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes and closed structures who do not hold a valid certificate of vaccination or infection, shall demonstrate a 48-hour Rapid test or PCR test. For employees who hold a valid vaccination or disease certificate, it is recommended that a self-diagnosis test (self-test) be performed once a week.
k) as of 15 May 2022, increase occupancy in stadiums and casinos to 85% of capacity.
At a later stage, dates will be announced for the following:
a) the administration of a booster/4th dose of vaccine to persons aged 60 years and over, provided that a period of 5 months has elapsed since receiving the booster/3rd dose of vaccine.
the setting of a maximum price limit (cap) on the package of 5 self-tests (self-test) at the price of EUR 6.
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