It was a difficult year in 2021 following 2020 for Cyprus, as for the rest of the world, with the coronavirus pandemic galloping, occasionally recording large numbers of daily cases causing death in some cases.
Citizens again experienced lockdowns and the imposition of restrictive measures, deprived of basic freedoms under the shadow of fear of the pandemic. Measures that brought fatigue and pressure on people, resulting in protests.
The mutations of the British strain, Delta, increased hospitalizations and recorded deaths. The highlight was the advent of Omicron, a mutation for which so far there is no completely accurate data.
Vaccines gave hope for a way out of the crisis. During 2021, the vaccination programme continued intensively and huge efforts were made to convince the undecided.
With the advent of Omicron, December 2021 recorded a negative record of daily cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
January - Cyprus in lockdown
January 2021 found Cyprus in lockdown and in the red zone. On 8.1.2021 the Minister of Health announced stricter measures until the end of the month to contain the pandemic.
Specifically, the new measures provided for a curfew from 9pm to 5am the next day and a ban on gatherings, public or social events with travel only by text message and up to two text messages per person per day.
Compulsory teleworking was implemented in the public and wider public sector and local government with the exception of the Essential Services, while the Divine Liturgy in places of religious worship was performed without the presence of worshippers.
Also, education at all levels was conducted at a distance.
The decree providing for compulsory quarantine in hotels of the Republic for persons arriving from the United Kingdom for a period of 7 days was also renewed until 10 January.
On 3.1.2021 the new strain of coronavirus from Britain was also detected in Cyprus.
On 3.1.2021 the new strain of coronavirus from Britain was detected in Cyprus.
The occupancy rate in Famagusta General Hospital, which functions as a Reference Hospital for patients with coronavirus, is almost 100%,
In the meantime, the vaccination programme continued in order to protect vulnerable groups and health professionals.
On 27.1.2021, the Minister of Health announced that the easing of restrictive measures to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic would begin gradually from 1 February with the opening of primary/college schools and retail outlets in stages.
On 28.1.2021, mandatory weekly rapid testing of workers was implemented.
February - Gradual lifting of restrictive measures
From 1 February, the first phase of the strategic lifting of restrictive measures against coronavirus began.
On 2.2.On 8.2.2021 it was decided to carry out rapid testing of workers in businesses and schools.
On 8.2.2021 Cyprus entered the second phase of the gradual lifting of restrictive measures.
On 17.2.2021 flights were resumed and airports reopened with additional security measures.
On 17.2.2021 flights were resumed and airports reopened with additional security measures.
It was also decided to reopen schools for first and second grade students.
March - Hope for an exit from the pandemic due to vaccinations
Indicative was the statement of the President of the Republic on 6.On 7.3.2021, a protest was held in Limassol against the pandemic measures, while a group of parents organized a protest in the free Famagusta for the rapid tests.
In the meantime, OCYPY drew up a plan to increase the number of beds for COVID-19 cases to 300 with the assistance of the private sector.
On 15.3.2021 Cyprus postponed vaccinations with AstraZeneca due to opposition to its suitability to resume on 19.3.2021 following recommendations of the European Medicines Agency.
On 16.3.2021 new relaxations were made, but the epidemiological picture was worsened and food outlets were opened.
On 18.3.2021 the Minister of Health announced that there is a high prevalence of the British strain in Cyprus and made a new call for compliance with measures.
On 18.3.2021 the Minister of Health announced that there is a high prevalence of the British strain in Cyprus and made a new call for compliance with measures.
On 18.3.2021 the Minister of Health announced that there is a high prevalence of the British strain in Cyprus.
On 22.3.2021 Middle School parents outside the Presidential Palace demanded the reopening of the high schools.
On 29.3.2021 it was decided as nasal to carry out sampling on minors in High Schools, Special Schools and sampling points.
April - Return to lockdown
From the beginning of April, new relaxations to the restrictive measures were put in place which would then be reversed with a blanket lockdown due to a new increase in cases reaching 705, with 199 patients hospitalized.
On 2.4.2021, the Gymnasiums and Primary Schools of Limassol, which had been closed after the detection of large chains of coronavirus, reopened with physical presence.
On 9.4.2021 President Anastasiades during a visit to Famagusta General Hospital appealed to people to get vaccinated.
On 15.4.2021 AstraZeneca vaccination was given to the Council of Ministers in an indication that this vaccine is harmless.
On 22.4.2021 it was decided that personal doctors vaccinate citizens in their surgery with AstraZeneca vaccine.
On 23.4.2021 due to the pressure in the hospitals, the Minister of Health announced a universal lockdown for 2 weeks.
In April it was also decided that only vaccines and 72-hour tests will be allowed.
May - 7 people died on Easter Monday[/B]
On 3.5.2021, Easter Monday, seven people died due to COVID-19
On 5.5.2021 relaxation in measures against COVID-19 from 10 May with the end of the lockdown was decided by the Cabinet, with the abolition in sending a text message for movement but the safepass (vaccination, immunity or 72-hour test) was introduced as a requirement for entry to many places.
On 10.5.2021 the safepass was introduced.
On 19.5.2021 after laboratory tests the Indian and South African coronavirus strain was detected in Cyprus.
By 31.5.2021 vaccination with the first dose reached 53%.
June - Roadblocks opened and relaxations continued
On 4.6.2021 the roadblocks opened after almost 15 months of under-opening due to pandemic measures.
On the same day new relaxations of the anti-coronavirus measures came into force.
On 10.6.2021 the curfew was ended and nightclubs reopened and on 16.6.2021 it was decided to allow the presence of fans at matches in all sports.
On 23.6.2021 the Ministry of Health expressed concern that more than 90% of hospitalized people are unvaccinated and there is a low rate of vaccination of young people.
On 23.6.2021 the Ministry of Health expressed concern that more than 90% of hospitalized people are unvaccinated and there is a low rate of vaccination of young people.
July - Incentives for young people to get vaccinated
On 2.7.2021 for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic the median age of cases was 23 years, according to the National Report,
On 5.On 5.7.2021, a decree was published to grant employees leave for vaccination in an effort to strengthen the vaccination program.
On 16.7.2021, incentives were given by 13 companies and organizations to vaccinate people up to 30 years of age.
On 16.7.2021, incentives were given by 13 companies and organizations to vaccinate people up to 30 years of age.
On 18.7.2021 after the end of a protest against the pandemic measures outside the Presidential Palace, the DIA complex and the TV station "Sigma" were violently attacked by a group of people.
By July 20, according to the Ministry of Health, 70.4% of the adult population had been vaccinated against coronavirus.
On 30.7.2021, the Cabinet of Ministers gave the green light for vaccination of people aged 12 and over.
By 31.7.2021, according to the Ministry of Health, the Delta variant was fully prevalent in the community.
On 31.7.2021, the Minister of Health declared that it is the obligation of the unvaccinated to pay for rapid tests if they decided not to be vaccinated.
August - Abolition of free rapid tests to unvaccinated people and pressure on hospitals
On 1.8.2021 free rapid tests to unvaccinated people were abolished.
On 4.8.2021 the number of vaccinations in Cyprus exceeded 1 million.
On 6.8.2021 the Press Spokesman of the State Health Services Organisation (SHSO) Haralambos Harilaou stated that hospitalisations in the Intensive Care Unit broke all previous records.
September - Administration of third dose
On 2.9.2021 the Council of Ministers decided to administer a third dose of mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 to persons over 65 years of age, residents of nursing homes and health professionals, provided that a period of 6 months has elapsed since the completion of their vaccination regimen.
It was also decided to reopen academic institutions with physical presence at 2/3 of the occupancy rate with a required safepass demonstration and to extend the existing measures until 22 September.
On 7.9.2021 the scheduling of non-emergency surgeries was resumed following a decision of the Council of Ministers.
Health Minister Michael Hadjipandela stated in September that "after two months in the red, the numbers show that we are on the right track to stop the gallop of the killer virus and its mutations. The situation in our public hospitals is very good and hospitalizations are steadily decreasing."
On 14.9.2021 the Minister of Health stated that there is a continuous effort for vaccination coverage, 80% has been vaccinated with the 1st dose.
October - Cyprus again in the "red"
On 8.10.2021 the Council of Ministers decided on targeted relaxation of the restrictive measures in order to minimize the possibility of spreading the virus in the community.
Among the relaxations were increased attendance of spectators at football matches at 75% of stadium capacity under certain conditions, an increase in the number of spectators in theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas and auditoriums and patrons in lodges and social event venues, hotels, bars, nightclubs, as well as worshippers in churches.
On 8.10.2021 the first clinic for long COVID patients was opened.
On 10.10.2021 a large walk-in clinic was opened at the Lanitio.
On 15.10.2021 the age limit was reduced to 60 years and new vulnerable groups were added for the administration of the 3rd booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, following a decision of the Council of Ministers.
On 15.10.2021 the age limit was reduced to 60 years and new vulnerable groups were added for the administration of the 3rd booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, following a decision of the Council of Ministers.
Up to 14 October, 29,897 people were vaccinated with the 3rd dose.
On 21.10.2021, Cyprus was again in the red on the ECDC's epidemiological map.
On 25.10.2021 the Delta+ mutation was detected in two samples out of 279.
November - 3rd dose of vaccine from 18 years and older, occurrence of Omicron
On 4.11.2021 the Council of Ministers decided to extend the measures against the spread of COVID-19, as well as to extend the age limit for vaccination with booster dose to 50 years.
On 10.11.2021 the Council of Ministers approved a recommendation of the Minister of Health to grant rest leave to working citizens vaccinated with booster dose.
On 10.11.2021 the Council of Ministers approved a recommendation of the Minister of Health to grant rest leave to working citizens vaccinated with booster dose.
On 11.11.2021 two new anti-COVID-19 drugs (Ronapreve and Regkirona) were approved by the European Medicines Agency.
On 12.11.2021 according to the National Report, Limassol had the highest mortality rate of patients with COVID-19 and the 10-19 year old group the most burdened in diagnoses of coronavirus cases.
On 15.11.2021, the Minister of Health and the Scientific Advisory Committee decided "no" to more stringent measures, while a decision of the Council of Ministers for a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine from 18 years old and above was announced.
On 20.11.2021 President Anastasiades stated that "some people must finally understand that the time has come to realize that individual responsibility is also social responsibility" and announced tightening of measures against the pandemic in order to avoid a total lockdown.
On 24.11.2021 the Cabinet of Ministers decided on new measures, which came into force on 29 November to contain a coronavirus pandemic.
Among other things, the age limit for wearing a mask was reduced to 6 years and all persons aged 6 11 years will have to present a Safe Pass, while from 13 December all citizens will be given the opportunity to carry out a self-test.
On 26.11.2021 the Ministry of Health decided to ban African countries from entering Cyprus due to the new Omicron mutation.
On 26.11.2021 the Ministry of Health decided to ban African countries from entering Cyprus due to the new Omicron mutation.
December - Strengthening of measures, arrival of Omicron
On 2.12.2021 six measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus were announced by the Government.
Among other things, it was decided that from 6 December to 10 January 2022, all passengers entering Cyprus will undergo a mandatory PCR test at a cost of 15 euros to be borne by the passenger, teleworking for 20% of the staff of any company or organisation in the service sector excluding essential services, suspension of presentations by reservists and national guardsmen and suspension of all events in and outside shopping centres.
On 2.12.2021 by Decree the Ministry of Health suspended cold case surgeries and requisitioned beds.
By 11.12.2021 a total of 5 cases of "Omicron" were detected in Cyprus.
Protests were recorded as well as attacks on schools by parents protesting against the measures imposed on children.
On 13.12.2021 the Cabinet decided on nine new measures to limit the spread of coronavirus, focusing on children and the unvaccinated with the most important being the decision to vaccinate children aged 5-11, close contacts, entry to events such as weddings and christenings and to catering facilities within hotels, which will only be allowed to vaccinated persons who have also had either a rapid test or pcr, and the reduction of the period for the administration of the third dose from 6 months to 5 months and two weeks.
On 17.12.2021 the Ministry of Health announced that 28 samples with the Omicron mutation had been identified in Cyprus.
In statements on 20.12.2021 President Anastasiades said that "if the pandemic measures are not met, we will inevitably lead to stricter measures."
On 21.12.2021 Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas announced the new measures decided by the Council of Ministers to limit the spread of the virus in view of the Christmas holidays.
Specifically, among other things, he decided to reopen schools after the Christmas holidays on 10 January. Upon return, all pupils, teachers and other staff without exception will have to produce a negative 72-hour PCR laboratory test or a 48-hour Rapid antigen detection test.
Furthermore, from 22 December 2021, all employees who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination programme or hold a certificate of infection (180-day duration) will be required to present a negative PCR laboratory test or Rapid antigen rapid detection test of 7 days duration to enter the workplace. Employees who received the booster/3rd dose of vaccine are exempt.
It was also decided to reduce the time period of the COVID-19 disease certificate from 6 months (180 days) to 3 months (90 days) effective January 31, 2022.
On 27.12.2021 a negative record of 1,925 cases of COVID-19 occurred while on 28.12.2021 2,241 cases were recorded.
On 29.12.2021, a day when 3,002 cases were recorded, the Council of Ministers met in the evening on an extraordinary basis to take measures. This was preceded by a meeting of the Minister of Health with the members of the Scientific Advisory Committee, where experts made recommendations.
The Cabinet decided to tighten control measures at the gates of entry to the Republic, abolish the safe pass for those who have not completed their vaccination programme and additional measures to limit transmission in places of assembly, and teleworking for 40% of the staff of each company or organisation in the service sector.
On 29.12.2021 the total number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic was 157,928 with 635 deaths.
Source: CNA
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