Week of crucial importance, at least as regards the possibility of some measures being relaxed, since the majority of scientists believe that the epidemiological picture in the country allows it, albeit cautiously.
The number of daily cases seems to be stabilising - albeit still at high levels - while the number of covid hospitalisations is decreasing, allowing the health system some "breathing space".
According to yesterday's announcement by the Ministry of Health, 211 covid patients are hospitalised, of which 74 are in a serious condition. A rate of 76.31% of those hospitalized have no history of vaccination.
"The balance with which we manage to keep society open must not be disturbed and of course it must be taken into account that we are still going through a pandemic wave, while we have steadily increased rates in hospitals," notes Lecturer in Pediatrics at the European University of Cyprus and member of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the Ministry of Health, Zoe Dorothea Pana, commenting on the possibility of relaxations in the coming period.
And she noted that it may be time to review some protocols and simplify measures. "We are at a stage where we may need to review protocols, regular laboratory testing and generally the way in which Cyprus operates within the safety framework that we ought to have, given that we are still going through a pandemic wave. We ought to have a discussion on the whole and see what we can simplify, how we can help the people who have suffered so much and together we can find a harmonisation within this framework," Dr Pana said.
The discussion on relaxations actually opens tomorrow, Tuesday, during the regular meeting of the Health Minister and other officials with members of the Scientific Advisory Committee, as Michael Hadjipandela announced last week.
However, it seems that not all scientists are in agreement, at least as far as how far these relaxations can go.
The relaxations to be discussed... "touch" the unvaccinated
"The epidemiological picture of Cyprus is very good and now gives the possibility for relaxing the restrictive measures," epidemiologist Michalis Voniatis said yesterday.
Mr Voniatis said that tomorrow, Tuesday, the Scientific Advisory Committee will recommend to the Minister of Health relaxations concerning:
-Gatherings in homes
-Increasing the maximum number of people in wedding and christening ceremonies
-Entrance of persons under 18 years of age in cafes, with a negative 24-hour rapid test
-Allowing dancing in nightclubs again,
-Talk of relaxation to adults who have not been vaccinated
Reduced to 90 days
Meanwhile, a decision is implemented from today wherebythe period of validity of the Certificate of Contagion is reduced from 180 to 90 days. As announced by the Ministry of Health, this change will apply to all holders of the Certificate, regardless of whether they have issued it before this date.
It is clarified that these certificates will continue to be issued through the platform www.eudcc.gov.cy and the effective date of the certificate will be the date of release of the person. It will be valid for domestic use for up to 90 days from the date of the first positive laboratory test, as specified in the relevant decree. Please note that, the Certificate of Disease will continue to indicate a validity of 180 days from the date of the first positive laboratory test which is the maximum period allowed by the relevant European Regulation and therefore it can be used by citizens for travel purposes.
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