Emergency measures, some of them with immediate effect, have been decided by the Government in the shadow of the rapid deterioration due to the pandemic in Cyprus as well, with the Omicron mutation apparently prevailing.
"The epidemiological indicators in recent days have been deteriorating rapidly, with the possibility of an increase in patient admissions to state hospitals in the coming days. The positivity rate is over 2.5% and specifically in the last three days, 7,168 positive cases were recorded within the community. The Omicron variant is now in the community and is expected to further aggravate our epidemiological picture," the Health Minister said in announcing the new measures.
Unfortunately, he said, "it is evident from the data that many of our fellow citizens do not observe personal protection measures, while dozens of establishments and entertainment businesses do not follow sanitary protocols, resulting in increased overcrowding in these areas."
As agreed, the situation will also be reassessed next Tuesday 4 January 2022 depending on the evolution of epidemiological indicators.
In detail all the measures decided:
(a) with effect from 4 January until 15 January 2022, all passengers arriving in the Republic of Cyprus are required to have a PCR laboratory test carried out 48 hours before departure. It is recalled that upon arrival all passengers, regardless of vaccination history, undergo a PCR laboratory test and the cost will be borne by the passenger.
(b) from 3 January 2022, teleworking for 40% of the staff of each company or organisation in the service sector. It is clarified that this percentage includes persons who, due to illness or declaration as a close contact with a confirmed case, are placed on self-limitation and work from home and persons who have used their rest leave. Clarification will be provided tomorrow on the essential services that will be exempted.
(c) From 30 December 2021, entry to entertainment venues, music and dance halls, banquet halls, weddings and christenings will only be permitted with the additional presentation of a negative 24-hour Rapid test. As a reminder, only vaccinated persons are allowed to enter. Citizens who have received the booster/3rd dose of vaccine are exempted.
(d) by 30 December 2021, setting a maximum limit of 300 persons for eating places, entertainment centres and music and dance halls in compliance with health protocols and the maximum number of persons per square metre currently in force. Citizens must be seated while dancing is prohibited. It is clarified that the measure for weddings and baptisms will be implemented from 3 January 2022.
(e) from 30 December 2021, as the presence of fans in stadiums is set at 50% of the capacity of the stadiums, with the mandatory use of a protective face mask. If it is established after an inspection that the protective measures have not been complied with, the competent authorities may revoke the operating licence.
(f) from 30 December 2021, the prohibition of all visits to public and private hospitals and stolen structures, unless authorisation is granted by the management following the production of a negative 24-hour PCR laboratory test in urgent and exceptional cases only. For outpatient and companion outpatient visits, a negative 24-hour Rapid test is required. Excludes persons who have received a booster/3rd dose of vaccine.
(g) by December 30, 2021, the change in COVID-19 case management and close contact protocols for healthcare professionals who have not received any dose of vaccine, or received both doses for bivalent vaccines or one dose for monovalent vaccine and the 7-month period has elapsed and have not received the booster/3rd dose. Close contacts of a confirmed case will undergo PCR on day 5 and Rapid test on day 6 with a negative result after contact with a case to be released from restriction. Positive cases of coronavirus are entitled to undergo a Rapid test on day 6 and day 7 and if the result is negative to be released on day 8, provided they have no symptoms for a period of 48 hours (The decision applies to doctors, nurses and medical staff).
In addition the following are recommended:
As citizens use a double surgical mask or a high protection mask. (e.g. type KN95 or type FFP2).
Avoid the use of fabric face masks.
It is reminded that the use of face masks in all areas, both indoor and outdoor, is mandatory.
Distance learning and online examinations in higher education.
Distance learning and online examinations in higher education are mandatory.
Distance learning and online examinations in higher education.
Concluding his remarks, Michael Hadjipandela called on citizens to understand that the pandemic crisis affects us all.
"With more than 3000 cases a day in our own small population, it means that coronavirus threatens each of us and we need to protect ourselves and our loved ones. We need to realize that it is necessary to observe the measures to protect ourselves and only in this way can we return to our normalcy as soon as possible," he said."
And he expressed wishes for a safe and prosperous New Year.
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