On the occasion of the signing of the contract for the construction of the Mental Health Centre in Nicosia, the Minister of Health Mr. Michael Hadjipandela made statements on issues of concern to the Ministry of Health.
Asked about the case of a three-year-old child for whom treatment abroad is pending, which nevertheless cannot take place at this particular time due to the refusal of his parents to be vaccinated in order to be allowed to enter foreign countries, Mr. Hadjipandela said: "I want to report that I am very saddened by this fact that a young child is being denied treatment abroad, specifically in Germany, because his parents are unvaccinated." He added that as the Ministry of Health we respect the measures that other countries are taking, and that all necessary actions that could be taken were taken.
Referring to the epidemiological data and discussions on possible relaxation of measures, Hajipandela said that the epidemiologists unanimously agreed that relaxation of measures would be considered at the next meeting of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Tuesday, February 1. "The measures that have been discussed in the past few days are children 12-17 years old who are not vaccinated to be given the opportunity to go to cafes or restaurants by showing a rapid test or SafePass, to see if we should increase the number at weddings and baptisms, and to look at whether dancing should be allowed again." These possible relaxations would depend on the number of cases and also on hospitalisations, based on reports from the HMRC, he added."
On the implementation of the "test to stay" measure, the minister said: "I want to report that more than two thousand children today who have taken the test and tested negative are currently in classrooms instead of being in their homes. At the same time their parents, instead of being at home watching their children, are at work. Our goal of having kids in schools seems to have been met. There are some problems as is normal, and we will look at them at the meeting next Monday." Consultation with the Police, Fire Service and OCYPF to extend the "test to stay" to these forces will begin immediately, he said.
In response to a question about the number of deaths and post COVID patients, Hajipandela said the Ministry of Health's message to the public is to get vaccinated. "Most of these deaths are unvaccinated persons, and unfortunately we have this outcome. But at the same time we must not forget that our country is fourth lowest in the European Union in terms of deaths. We have a very low mortality rate and this is very important."
(AF)
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