The rapid deterioration of epidemiological indicators recorded in Cyprus in recent weeks due to the prevalence of the Omicron variant leaves us no room for complacency. As the Ministry of Health we are constantly vigilant, and we make an assessment of all scientific and/or epidemiological data together with the Scientific Advisory Committee. Our focus is on the safest possible operation of society, with the aim of protecting and defending the health of all our citizens and in particular our vulnerable groups. With a positivity rate consistently above 3% and with over 28 thousand cases since the last Cabinet meeting, the hospitals of the OCHS are working tirelessly to respond to the increased number of hospitalizations, a fact that we take seriously, since the protection of public health is a key factor in every decision we make. Following recommendations from the scientists, at this stage it has been deemed necessary to take further protective measures in schools in order to keep schools open and to detect positive cases of coronavirus in time, without depriving pupils of their basic right to education.
Therefore, the Council of Ministers at its meeting today decided:
[A] from 17 January to 16 February 2022, the inclusion of the "test to stay" measure in primary and secondary education, with the aim of keeping schools in operation and detecting positive cases of coronavirus in a timely manner. Close contacts of confirmed cases who have no history of vaccination, instead of being placed on restriction, will be subjected to daily antigen detection rapid test (rapid test) for a period of 5 days. This decision applies only to students and the Rapid test will be carried out by mobile units of the Ministry of Health visiting schools.
from 13 January 2022, the lifting of the ban on visits to nursing homes and closed facilities, with entry to these places being permitted only to persons who have completed their vaccination programme and the 7-month period has not elapsed, or hold a certificate of infection and the 90-day period has not elapsed, or have received the booster/3rd dose, provided that they present a negative Rapid test of the same day.
[C] as of January 14 at 5:00 a.m, either a 72-hour PCR laboratory test or a 24-hour Rapid test is acceptable for travel purposes to the Republic of Cyprus. In addition, in the case of positive cases, at least 10 days must have elapsed from the date of sampling of a positive result in order to travel to the Republic of Cyprus. It is recalled that until 31 January 2022, all passengers over 12 years of age will have to undergo a PCR laboratory test upon arrival at airports in the Republic of Cyprus and, 72 hours after arrival, a Rapid test, with the exception of those who have received the booster/3rd dose of vaccine.
(d) the extension of all existing measures until 31 January 2022.
(AF)
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