The epidemiological data of Cyprus are at unsafe limits and relaxation is not recommended but decisions were taken for small relaxations in the traffic and the Ecclesiastics, announced the Minister of Health Konstantinos Ioannou after the Ministerial meeting.
Mr. Ioannou said that the measures that came into force are extended until January 10 and that for 24/12 the traffic is allowed until 23.00 and for 31/12 until one in the morning. The gatherings in the houses remain for ten people.
The operation will be allowed in the Churches for 25/12 and 6/1, with a maximum number of 75 people and observance of measures. If necessary, more operations should be performed on the same days to avoid overcrowding.
The Minister said that the number of cases and the increase of the positive rate from the rapid diagnostic tests remain increased, while the number of patients ranges between 110-130 daily and the number of intubated patients is high. There is also concern about the deaths.
The Minister of Health stated that the effort two weeks ago, focused on achieving a significant improvement in the epidemiological picture and to significantly reduce the epidemiological indicators that were in the worst condition since the beginning of the pandemic.
"The data we have before us after the evaluation of the data do not leave us satisfied. "According to the Advisory Scientific Committee for the coronavirus, the epidemiological indicators remain at unsafe limits and for this reason it is not recommended to relax the measures that are in force", he said.
The Minister said that the stabilization recorded in the indicators is still at high levels and that the number of cases remains increased and this is reflected in the continuing increase in the rate of positivity from rapid antigen diagnostic tests nationwide.
He also stated that the number of patients is daily between 110 and 130 people, while the number of intubated patients in the Intensive Care Units is high, burdening the Health System.
"What is of greater concern is the daily deaths that continue to be recorded and require measures to be taken to protect people at increased risk of serious illness," he said, announcing the small relaxations and stressing that measures announced on 9 December 2020 until 10 January 2021 and the situation will be regularly assessed by the Scientific Advisory Committee.
According to the Minister, on December 24, 2020, traffic will be allowed until 11 p.m. and New Year's Eve will be allowed until 1 p.m. and the restriction of 10 people to gatherings inside houses, including minors, remains.
He added that recognizing the need of the faithful for church and given that the protocol will be strictly implemented, in cooperation with the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus, only for December 25, 2020 and January 6, 2021, the operation of religious places in the presence of believers with maximum number is allowed. attending 75 people, observing the measure of one person per 3 sq.m. and according to the square meters of space.
"If there is a need for more believers to attend church, it is recommended that more services be held on the above dates," he said.
Mr. Ioannou reiterated that the burden on the epidemiological picture does not allow us much relaxation, although that was our goal. At the moment, he stressed, no significant improvement seems to be recorded and for this reason, we continue with very careful steps, with these small exceptions that will give some psychological stimulation to the citizens.
"As you can see, the whole of Europe is on high alert. The situation in Cyprus is serious, but we are in control. "I appeal once again to all our fellow citizens: the only way to emerge victorious from this arduous and months-long adventure is to remain vigilant until we are safe," he said.
The Minister stressed that counting down to the arrival of vaccines and the start of vaccinations from next weekend, he urges everyone to be patient for a while, "until we ensure the vaccination coverage of a large percentage of the population."
"The vaccine is the beginning of the end of this great journey and is only half the effort offered by the scientific community. The other half is in the hands of each of us, who are called to show responsibility, carefully observing the measures ", he concluded.