The members of the Scientific Advisory Committee presented their recommendations on the new measures to the Minister of Health and the "ball goes, as always, to the Council of Ministers which will take final decisions tomorrow.
The issue of whether or not to return pupils and teachers to classrooms was a hot topic at the meeting, and despite hearing conflicting views, reports suggest that schools will reopen as normal on Monday 10 January.
The issue of reducing the number of people in homes, which will now be reduced from 20 to 10, as well as reducing attendance at churches, catering venues, weddings, christenings and other social events is something that is supported by all members of the Science Committee and looks set to go ahead. It is clarified that the issue concerning the number of worshippers in churches was something that was expected from the beginning to be discussed and locked in between President Anastasiades and the Archbishop. A measure, which, if adopted, is expected to bring about significant differences on the day of Epiphany as well.
As we are informed, the issue of closing nightclubs and operating restaurants with specific opening hours, was not raised at the Minister's meeting with the scientists.
- Before Hatzipantela the recommendations of the experts. Meeting in progress... the measures under discussion (pics)
- Epidemiologists in the late afternoon at the Presidential Palace. Briefing Anastasiades
In addition, as has been known for some days, some scientists are in favour of reducing the quarantine of positive individuals from 10 to 5 days, however this may not be "locked in" from tomorrow and will go before the House next week and after more data on the morbidity of the mutation is available.
The Cabinet is expected to decide on the continuation of making the self-test available to citizens, as it appears that self-testing has paid off.
Following the meeting with the Minister, members of the Scientific Advisory Committee briefed President Anastasiades on the deteriorating epidemiological picture. The President of the Republic invited the scientists to the Presidential Palace for a briefing today.
The briefing at the Presidential Palace will take place in the presence of the Ministers of Health, Finance, Education, Labour and Justice, the Deputy Minister of Innovation, the Government Spokesperson, the Deputy Government Spokesperson and officials.
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