Statement by the Minister of Health Mr. Michalis Hadjipandelas on the decisions of the Council of Ministers to stop the pandemic:
All indicators confirm that the epidemiological picture of our country is deteriorating. The cases are increasing rapidly, while within a few days the number of hospitalizations has multiplied. Many of our fellow human beings, patients with coronavirus, are hospitalized in a serious condition.
The Council of Ministers studied all the data, the suggestions of the experts and decided to take some additional measures. With the sole aim of stopping the gallop of the deadly virus that endangers the lives of all of us. We must protect those we love. All together to regain our lives back, free from any trace of Public Health threat.
There are "weapons" to reduce and eliminate, the greatest enemy of humanity. Experts around the world agree that it is vaccination and individual protection measures. Vaccinations can provide protection against virus mutations.
We feel that, as a society, we are on the right track. The majority of our fellow citizens have given the first dose of the vaccine at a rate that will exceed 70% in the coming days, while more than 60% of the population has completed its vaccination regimen. It is imperative, however, that we continue. The big goal is not far off.
The implementation of new procedures to facilitate and encourage citizens to be vaccinated is already having encouraging results. The effort with the free-flow vaccination centers, with the mobile units, has been embraced and sends optimistic messages.
We unimaginably appreciate the sacrifices of our fellow human beings. And it must be emphasized that there is no confrontation with anyone. Any form of confrontation is futile and useless. All views are respected and given due consideration.
"Vaccinated" and "unvaccinated" camps do not fit into our culture. They have no place in our society. We respect any reservations, any objections. But there are experts, scientists, more trained than us and it is worth listening to them, to follow their instructions. In this fight, we must all be united!
It is imperative that we follow some measures faithfully to reduce the risk. To take the big step towards our freedom. We especially call on young people to embrace the whole effort to protect themselves first and foremost. And then their family and the whole of our society.
The Council of Ministers decided, inter alia, on the following:
1. Suspension of camp operation. Ongoing camps must be closed as soon as the current accommodation is completed by 23 July at the latest.
2. It is allowed to serve guests in restaurants, nightclubs, banquets, discos and other entertainment venues exclusively in tables with a maximum number of 10 people per table. All spectators must be seated and in all cases dancing is prohibited. Excluded from the dance ban are establishments / businesses that will only host fully vaccinated people or people who have a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 the last six months. The owner / administrator of the premises must inform the Ministry of Health in writing that he will only accept fully vaccinated persons or persons who have been ill with COVID-19 the last 6 months.
3. Introduction of SafePass in all indoor and outdoor areas where at any time more than 20 people gather, including the employees of the company, until July 31.
4. Presenting SafePass for serving citizens in services of the public, wider public and private sector, in banks, Local Government, Public Transport, coastal passenger boats, etc.
5. Prohibition of visits to nursing homes and / or other accommodation and care facilities for the elderly, with the exception of those who have SafePass. Exit is not recommended for tenants. Upon their return to their place of residence, a negative result from a rapid test must be submitted.
6. Increase the maximum number of people indoors from 350 to 450 people, provided that all people are fully vaccinated or have COVID-19 the last 6 months. The owner / manager of the premises must inform the Ministry of Health that in his premises he will accept only fully vaccinated persons or persons who have become ill with COVID-19 the last 6 months, to be given relevant approval.
All the details and information of the decisions of the Council of Ministers will be included in the detailed announcement of the Ministry that will be issued later. The decisions enter into force on July 20, 2021 and will be regulated by a Decree.
In relation to the new venture of the public free centers for vaccination is a pioneering measure, which we dared to implement in Cyprus. The people have embraced it and we will continue our efforts to upgrade it. The reason that large quantities of vaccines were not available from the beginning is to avoid wastage of not administering them, since vaccines are destroyed if they are not administered.