The goal for a double-digit number of cases is achievable next week, said to KYPE the Professor of Microbiology / Molecular Virology of the Medical School of the University of Nicosia, Dr. Petros Karagiannis, who estimates that it is possible to lift all bans by March, if there is no setback.
Dr. Karagianis, who is a member of the Ministry of Health's Scientific Team, expressed hope that next week he would give further encouragement to de-escalate the measures, in particular, adding "if we fall below one hundred cases, that would be ideal".
"The fewer cases in the community when we open, the easier it is to monitor and reduce outbreaks," he explained.
Asked if a double-digit number of cases is expected next week, he replied that it is possible "to touch a double-digit number".
Regarding the issue of travel, after any relaxation, Mr. Karagiannis expressed the assessment that if some restrictions do not continue, it can be dangerous, since the virus is still circulating in the community.
He noted that "we must walk with prudence and caution, so as not to spoil what we have achieved in recent weeks, with the strictest measures we have taken."
Asked if he was bothered by yesterday's images in Troodos, Dr. Karagiannis said that "it was not the images that make us comfortable with the relaxations", to add that "if we see similar incidents, as soon as we relax, somewhere we will spoil them again".
Asked if there could be a setback after yesterday's pictures, Mr Karagiannis said "people need to understand that things are not so easy, because we are in the winter months".
"If it were summer months I would not care. "But the people who were circulating in Troodos yesterday, if there was a transmission, will transport it elsewhere."
Asked about a possible lifting of all bans by March, he stressed that it is possible "if we do not have a setback, due to our behavior."
"Until now, the number of times we had setbacks was due to the fact that we did not pay attention to or implement the protocols, or the self-protection measures," he concluded.