Changes approved by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday and included in the Decree of the Minister of Health published yesterday in the Official Gazette, in relation to the measures in force to deal with coronavirus, come into force today. They concern, the lifting of the ban on entry to restaurants, cafes and theatres for unvaccinated children 12 17 years old and changes to the criteria applicable to workers in nursing homes.
Specifically, the Cabinet has decided that from today, 4 February 2022, the ban on entry to children without a history of vaccination aged 12-17 to eating places, cafes and theatres will be lifted.
"Entry to these places will be allowed upon presentation of a negative laboratory test PCR or Rapid test of 72 hours validity, provided they are accompanied by a parent/guardian who has completed their vaccination programme," it said.
Students
of private and public elementary schools and public and private secondary schools who are close contacts of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases within the school unit, who according to the health protocols of the Ministry of Health are required to remain under mandatory restriction, may continue to attend the school unit with physical presence, provided that they undergo a rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease every day, on school working days and for a period of 7 days from the date of close contact, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.
Students holding a certificate of completed vaccination or a valid certificate of convalescence shall undergo a rapid antigen detection test on the third and fifth days, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health,
Provided that, if a positive case of COVID-19 is detected, the health protocols of the Ministry of Health shall be followed.
Under the Decree, for workers in nursing homes and other closed care and accommodation facilities for the elderly and vulnerable groups, the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and the State Ministry of Social Welfare shall be followed and the demonstration of a negative laboratory test (PCR) or rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease shall be required, with sampling having been carried out within 24 hours, or the presentation of a valid certificate of completed vaccination for COVID-19 or a valid certificate of recovery from COVID-19, and a negative laboratory test (PCR) or rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19, with sampling having been carried out within 72 hours,
For workers in day care facilities for vulnerable groups, transitional shelters for homeless people, day centres and child protection facilities, the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the State Ministry of Social Welfare shall be followed and either a negative laboratory test (PCR) for COVID-19, with sampling having been carried out within 72 hours, or a valid certificate of comprehensive vaccination for COVID-19, or a valid certificate of recovery from COVID-19 shall be required'.
Also, as of today, the time period for administering the booster/3rd dose of vaccine is reduced from 5 months and two weeks to 5 months.
The Ministry of Health is "again appealing to citizens to demonstrate individual responsibility by faithfully and reverently observing health protocols".
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