With the current measures and in the company of our loved ones, it seems that we will spend the Christmas and New Year's holidays, if once again under the shadow of the pandemic that is on the rise once again around the globe.
The recommendations that are currently before the Council of Ministers were "locked in" during yesterday's meeting held at the Ministry of Health by Michael Hadjipandela and the members of the Scientific Advisory Committee. Although various opinions were heard during the meeting, the tightening - which was translated in the previous days into a reduction in the number of people in meetings - has been shelved for the time being. So, if the Cabinet of Ministers gives the green light, the festive tables will be held on the basis of the current decree, i.e. with 20 people including minors
As mentioned in a previous publication, it will be recommended that before attending the tables, participants undergo a rapid or self-test in order to avoid the creation of chains of transmission.
No variation is expected in the number of people in entertainment venues either.
Relaxation for children 12 to 15 years old
Among the recommendations put before the Cabinet are that children aged 12-15 should be allowed to enter certain places for which vaccination is required, only with a rapid test as long as they are accompanied by a parent who has completed their vaccination schedule.
Schools
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Health minister and experts have agreed that the best thing to do after the Christmas holidays is for all pupils to return to school with a negative hand test. As reported in a previous post, Hadjipandela and Prodromou will consider returning students to classrooms,instead of January 7, on the 10th of the month.
Workplaces
Before the Cabinet, Mr. Hadjipandela is expected to present a proposal to maintain telecommuting at 20% of staff, but the issue of the test will be on the table. Specifically, the proposal appears to call for a weekly rapid test to be administered to those vaccinated with two doses more frequently - perhaps every 48 hours for the unvaccinated - while those vaccinated with three doses would be exempt from the requirement.
Regarding the possibility of reducing the time limit for administering the booster dose, reports indicate that the measure may be discussed, but it appears that its implementation will be extended after the holidays.
Also before the Cabinet is the safe pass for those who are sick, with a recommendation that it be reduced from six months.
All recommendations, of course, must first be approved by the Cabinet.
Self tests are also in the battle
As of today, self tests are joining the battle against the pandemic, with beneficiaries receiving a free pack of five self tests over a period of one month from the start of the process for once.
Beneficiaries are those citizens who have completed their vaccination schedule with two doses for the bivalent vaccines and one dose for the monovalent vaccine or received the booster/3rd dose of vaccine and are also beneficiaries of the GHS.
a) GHS beneficiaries will receive self-tests from GHS-contracted pharmacies upon presentation of proof of identification.
- The package includes five self tests and individuals will have the opportunity to self-administer the test to determine if they are positive for SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
- In case of a positive result, citizens should contact their Personal Physician to refer them for a PCR test at the Public Health Clinics in their province of residence.
b) Citizens who are not beneficiaries of the GHS, but have completed their vaccination schedule in Cyprus, either with two doses of bivalent vaccines or one dose of monovalent vaccine, or received the booster/3rd dose of the vaccine, can collect the package containing the five self-tests from the locations below, daily from 10:30 a.m.m until 13:00 p.m.
| Επαρχία | Σημείο | Διεύθυνση |
| Nicosia | Old Nicosia Hospital | Nehru Avenue, Agios Andreas, P.O. Box 1102, Nicosia |
| Limassol | Maternity Centre, Limassol Old Hospital | 188 Leontiou A', P.O. Box 3022, Limassol |
| Larnaca | Maternity Centre, Larnaca Old Hospital | 40 Grigori Afxentiou Avenue, Larnaca, 6021 |
| Paphos | Maternity Centre, Paphos General Hospital | Ahepans 8026, P.O.Box 8100, Paphos |
| Famagusta | Maternity Centre, Famagusta Health Centre | 25 Christou Kkeli 25, P.O. Box 5310, Paralimni |
In case of a positive result, citizens should contact the Public Health Clinic Coordination Centre at email: coordination.iatreiadygeias@moh.gov.cy by sending your identification details (name, surname, telephone number, ID number, date of birth and province), as well as a photo of your positive self-test.
c) Instructions for conducting the rapid antigen detection test can be found at the following link:https:/youtu.be/FyP3NDTapUE
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