Ladies and Gentlemen,
The predictions about the dominance of the Omicron variant have been confirmed. All over the world millions of cases are detected every day, and inevitably, the relevant indicators have shot up in our country as well. The increased infectivity of Omicron compared to the Delta variant has brought record numbers of cases, but our country's Health System is holding out! And it will continue to endure, if we all join forces for the greater good.
Yesterday, five of our fellow human beings died of COVID-19, two of them at a young age. We will never tire of saying and emphasizing that health is the most precious good, but life itself is the ultimate good. Human life cannot be negotiable! That is why we will continue our efforts at all levels.
Yesterday, the President of the Republic listened attentively to the members of the Scientific Advisory Committee on the epidemiological picture of the country. The Council of Ministers today approved the recommendations of the experts looking forward to halting the pandemic.
The message of the Council of Ministers is clear. We must trust science and support the collective work. There is no other way! Doctors and scientists alone cannot defeat the pandemic. They have done their duty by providing humanity with the necessary "weapons", but the pandemic can only be defeated by the people, by ordinary citizens following the instructions of the scientific and medical community: Utilizing life-saving vaccines and dutifully following protective measures to limit the spread of the virus. This is the only way to take the big step towards ridding us of the greatest scourge that has plagued the planet for the past two years.
The Council of Ministers has decided:
(a) that all public and private primary and secondary schools will operate normally on 10 January 2022, as announced in a previous decision of the Council of Ministers. It is recalled that, all students, teachers and other staff without exception upon their return will be required to produce a negative Rapid test of 48 hours duration. It is recalled that pre-primary, kindergartens and nursery schools shall operate normally from 7 January 2022
(b) from 10 January 2022, primary school pupils in private and public schools will be required to produce a negative Rapid test twice a week
(c) from 6 January 2022, the reduction of the number of assemblies in homes to 10 persons, not including children under 12 years of age
[D](d) as of January 10, 2022, setting a maximum limit of 200 persons for restaurants, entertainment centers, music and dance halls, weddings and baptisms, subject to health protocols and the maximum number of persons per square meter currently in effect. Mandatory service exclusively at table seating. The maximum number of persons per table is set at 8 persons. Recall that dancing is prohibited in the above spaces
(e) As of January 6, 2022, setting a maximum limit of 200 persons for churches and places of religious worship, subject to health protocols and the maximum number of persons per square meter in effect. It is recalled that, as is the case for all indoor and outdoor areas, during the consecration of water on the day of Epiphany, citizens are required to wear a protective mask and keep the necessary distances. It is recommended that the use of fabric protective masks be avoided.
(f) from 6 January 2022, the compulsory display of proof of identification (ID card, passport, driving licence) during the Safepass check at the premises where required, with the managers of the premises/businesses proceeding with the identification.
[G](g) from 10 January 2022, increasing the teleworking rate to 50%
[H](h) from 10 January 2022, accommodation and visits to hotels/tourist accommodation will only be allowed to persons who have started or completed their vaccination programme and the period of time required to receive the 2nd or 3rd dose of vaccine has not elapsed
(i) the administration of an additional package of 5 self-tests to persons aged 12 years and over who have completed their vaccination programme
(j) from 6 January 2022, close contacts, regardless of vaccination history or disease, to undergo Rapid antigen Rapid test or PCR laboratory test on the 3rd and 5th day after the last date of contact with the outbreak
(k) from 6 January 2022, a ban on exits/overnight stays of residents from closed facilities and nursing homes
(l) from 6 January 2022, the lifting of mandatory state quarantine for passengers from the countries of South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana, as based on our epidemiological picture the entry of the Omicron variant into our country is from various countries
(m) from 6 January 2022, those arriving in the Republic of Cyprus who refuse to undergo a PCR laboratory test will be placed in state quarantine for the period of 14 days and may be released on the 7th day, provided that they undergo a PCR laboratory test. The costs of quarantine and testing will be borne by the citizen.
From 6 January 2022, all passengers aged 12 years and over arriving in the Republic of Cyprus, without exception, will be required to have a PCR laboratory test of at least 72 hours' duration prior to departure for the Republic.
(o) the extension of the validity of the existing measures until 31 January 2022
(AF)
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