A difficult year was 2021 following 2020 for Cyprus, as for the rest of the world, with the coronavirus pandemic galloping, recording from time to time large numbers of daily cases causing death in some cases.
Citizens again experienced lockdowns and restrictive measures, deprived of their basic freedoms in the shadow of the fear of a pandemic. Measures that brought fatigue and pressure to the people, resulting in protests.
The mutations of the British executive, Delta, increased the hospitalizations while they also marked deaths. The culmination was the arrival of Omicron, a mutation for which so far there are no absolutely accurate data.
Vaccines gave hope for a way out of the crisis. During 2021, the vaccination program was intensively continued while huge efforts were made to convince the undecided.
With the arrival of Omicron, December 2021 recorded negative daily record cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
January - Cyprus in lockdown
January 2021 found Cyprus in lockdown and in the red zone. On 8.1.2021 the Minister of Health announced stricter measures until the end of the month to reduce the pandemic.
Specifically, the new measures provided for a traffic ban from 9 pm to 5 am the next day and a ban on gatherings, public or social events with travel being done only by text message and up to two text messages per day per person.
Compulsory teleworking was implemented in the public and wider public sector and the Local Government with the exception of the Essential Services, while the Divine Liturgy in the sacred places of religious worship was performed without the presence of believers.
Also, the training at all levels was conducted remotely.
The decree providing for mandatory quarantine in Republic hotels for people arriving from the United Kingdom for a period of 10 days was also renewed until 7 January.
On 3.1.2021, the new coronavirus strain from Britain was located in Cyprus.
The Famagusta General Hospital, which operates as a Reference Hospital for patients with coronavirus, has reached almost 100% occupancy.
In the meantime, the vaccination program continued with the aim of protecting vulnerable groups and health professionals.
On January 27.1.2021, 1, the Minister of Health announced that from February XNUMX, the easing of restrictive measures to deal with the pandemic will begin. Covid-19 with the opening of primary / C` Lyceum and retail trade gradually.
On 28.1.2021 the mandatory weekly inspection with rapid test of the employees was implemented.
February - Gradual lifting of restrictive measures
The first phase of the strategy to lift the restrictive measures against the coronavirus started on 1 February.
On 2.2.2021 it was decided the control with rapid test of employees in companies and in school units.
On 8.2.2021 Cyprus entered the second phase of the gradual lifting of restrictive measures.
On 17.2.2021 we had resumption of flights and reopening of airports with additional security measures.
It was also decided to reopen the operation of the schools for A` and B` Lyceum students.
March - Hope to get out of the pandemic due to vaccinations
Indicative was the statement of the President of the Republic on 6.3.2021 that the hope for a return to everyday life is growing, as the vaccinations reached 100.000.
On 7.3.2021 there was a protest in Limassol against the measures for the pandemic, while a protest event was organized by a group of parents in free Famagusta for the rapid tests.
In the meantime, OKYPY has drawn up a plan to increase the number of incident beds COVID-19 at 300 with private sector assistance.
On March 15.3.2021, 19.3.2021, Cyprus postponed the vaccinations with AstraZeneca due to the reactions that existed regarding its suitability to start again on March XNUMX, XNUMX following the recommendations of the European Medicines Agency.
On 16.3.2021 new relaxations took place with a burdened, but the epidemiological picture and restaurants were opened.
On March 18.3.2021, XNUMX, the Minister of Health announced that the British executive is widely dispersed in Cyprus and addressed a new appeal for compliance with measures.
On March 22.3.2021, XNUMX, Mesis's parents outside the Presidential Palace requested the reopening of the high schools.
On March 29.3.2021, XNUMX, it was decided that nasal sampling should be performed on minors in Lyceums, Special Schools and sampling points.
April - Return to lockdown
From the beginning of April, new relaxations in the restrictive measures came into force, which would then be overturned with a universal lockdown due to a new increase of cases that reached 705, with 199 patients being treated in hospitals.
On April 2.4.2021, XNUMX, the Pancyprian High Schools and the Limassol Primary Schools reopened with a physical presence, which had been closed after the detection of large coronavirus chains.
On April 9.4.2021, XNUMX, President Anastasiadis, during his visit to the General Hospital of Famagusta, appealed to the people to be vaccinated.
On April 15.4.2021, XNUMX, the Council of Ministers was vaccinated with AstraZeneca as an indication that this vaccine is safe.
On 22.4.2021 it was decided that, personal doctors vaccinate citizens in their office with AstraZeneca vaccine.
On 23.4.2021 due to the pressure in the hospitals, the Minister of Health announced a universal lockdown for 2 weeks.
It was also decided in April that only vaccinations and a 72-hour test would be allowed
presence in places where there is a gathering.
May - 7 people passed away on Easter Monday
On 3.5.2021, Easter Monday, seven people died due to COVID-19
On 5.5.2021 relaxations in the measures against COVID-19 from 10 May with the end of the lockdown, the Council of Ministers decided, by abolishing the sending of a text message for movement but the safepass (vaccination, immunity or test of 72 hours) was introduced as a condition for entering many places.
On 10.5.2021 the safepass was put into operation.
On 19.5.2021, after laboratory tests, the Indian and South African strain of coronavirus was located in Cyprus.
By 31.5.2021 the vaccination with the first dose reached 53%.
June - Roadblocks are opened and relaxation continues
On June 4.6.2021, 15, the roadblocks were opened after almost XNUMX months of under-operation due to pandemic measures.
On the same day, new relaxations in the measures against the coronavirus came into force.
On 10.6.2021 the traffic ban was terminated and the nightclubs reopened while on 16.6.2021 it was decided that the presence of fans in matches of all sports.
On 23.6.2021 the Ministry of Health expressed its concern that over 90% of the patients are unvaccinated while there is a low rate of vaccination of young people.
July - Incentives for young people to get vaccinated
On July 2.7.2021, 23, for the first time since the beginning of a pandemic, the median age of cases was XNUMX years, according to the National Report,
On July 5.7.2021, XNUMX, the decree was issued to grant vaccination to employees in an effort to strengthen the vaccination program.
On 16.7.2021, incentives were given by 13 companies and organizations for vaccination of individuals up to 30 years of age.
On July 18.7.2021, XNUMX, after the end of a protest against the measures for the pandemic outside the Presidential Palace, the DIAS band and the television station "Sigma" were violently attacked by a group of people.
By July 20, according to the Ministry of Health, 70,4% of the adult population had been vaccinated against coronavirus.
On 30.7.2021, the Council of Ministers gave the green light for vaccination of people aged 12 and over.
Until 31.7.2021, according to the Ministry of Health, the Delta variant was completely prevalent in the community.
On 31.7.2021, the Minister of Health stated that it is the obligation of the unvaccinated to pay for rapid tests if they decided not to be vaccinated.
August - Abolition of free rapid test in unvaccinated and pressure in hospitals
On 1.8.2021 the free rapid tests on unvaccinated were abolished.
On 4.8.2021, the vaccinations in Cyprus exceeded 1 million.
On 6.8.2021, the Spokesperson of the State Health Services Organization (OKYPY) Charalambos Charilaou stated that the hospitalizations in the Intensive Care Unit broke every previous record.
September - Third dose
On 2.9.2021 the Council of Ministers decided to administer a third dose of mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 in people over 65, living in nursing homes and health professionals, provided that a period of 6 months has elapsed since the completion of their vaccination regimen.
It was also decided to reopen the academic institutions with a physical presence of 2/3 of the fullness with the necessary safepass demonstration and extension of the existing measures until September 22.
On 7.9.2021 the planning of non-emergency surgeries resumed following a decision of the Council of Ministers.
The Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipandela, stated in September that after two months in the "red", the numbers show that we are on the right path to stop the gallop of the deadly virus and its mutations. The situation in our public hospitals is very good and the number of hospitalizations is constantly decreasing ".
On 14.9.2021 the Minister of Health stated that the effort for vaccination coverage is continuous, 80% have been vaccinated with the 1st dose.
October - Cyprus is in the "red" again
On 8.10.2021 targeted relaxations in restrictive measures in order to minimize the possibility of spreading the virus in the community, decided the Council of Ministers.
Among the relaxations were the increased presence of spectators at football matches at 75% of the stadium's capacity under certain conditions, the increase in the number of spectators in theaters, amphitheaters, cinemas and auditoriums and the spectators in premises and social events, hotels, bars nightclubs, as well as the faithful in the churches.
On 8.10.2021 the first Clinic for long COVID patients was put into operation.
On 10.10.2021 there was a big walk-in in Lanitio.
On 15.10.2021 the age limit was reduced to 60 years and new groups of vulnerable people were added for the administration of the 3rd aid dose of the vaccine against COVID-19, following a decision of the Council of Ministers.
As of October 14, 3 people had been vaccinated with the third dose.
On 21.10.2021 Cyprus is red again on the ECDC epidemiological map.
On 25.10.2021 the Delta + mutation was detected in two samples from 279.
November - 3rd dose of vaccine from 18 years and over, appearance of Omicron
On 4.11.2021 the Council of Ministers decided to extend the measures against its dispersal COVID-19, as well as the extension of the age limit for vaccination with booster dose to 50 years.
On 10.11.2021 the Council of Ministers approved a proposal of the Minister of Health for granting a leave of absence to working citizens who are vaccinated with a supportive dose.
On 11.11.2021 two new drugs against COVID-19 (Ronapreve and Regkirona) were approved by the European Medicines Agency.
On 12.11.2021 according to the National Report, Limassol had the highest mortality rate of patients with COVID-19 and the 10-19 age group most at risk for coronavirus diagnoses.
On 15.11.2021, the Minister of Health and the Advisory Scientific Committee decided "no" to take more stringent measures, while a decision of the Council of Ministers was announced for a booster dose of vaccine against COVID-19 from 18 years and over.
On November 20.11.2021, XNUMX, President Anastasiadis stated that "some people must finally understand that it is time to realize that individual is also a social responsibility" while announcing the tightening of measures against the pandemic, in order to avoid a total lockdown.
On 24.11.2021 new measures were decided by the Ministry, which came into force on November 29 to stop a coronavirus pandemic.
Among other things, the age limit for using a mask has been reduced to 6 years and all people aged 6 - 11 should have a Safe Pass, while from December 13 all citizens will be able to take a self-test.
On 26.11.2021, the Ministry of Health decided to ban the entry into Cyprus of African countries due to the new Omicron mutation.
December - Tightening of measures, arrival of Omicron
On 2.12.2021 six measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the Government announced.
Among other things, it was decided that from December 6 to January 10, 2022, all independent passengers entering Cyprus will undergo a mandatory PCR test at a cost of 15 euros to be borne by the passenger, to telework for 20% of staff any company or organization in the field of services other than essential services, suspension of reservations and national guards as well as suspension of all events inside and outside the malls.
On 2.12.2021 with a Decree the Ministry of Health postponed cold surgery surgeries and ordered beds.
Until 11.12.2021 a total of 5 "Omicron" incidents were detected in Cyprus.
Protests were recorded as well as attacks on schools by protesting parents over the measures imposed on children.
On 13.12.2021 the Ministry decided nine new measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus, with emphasis on children and non-vaccinated with the most important concerning the decision to vaccinate children aged 5-11, close contacts, entry into events such as weddings and baptisms but also in restaurants within the hotels, which will be allowed only to vaccinated persons who should also have done either rapid test or pcr, as well as the reduction of the period for the administration of the 3rd dose from 6 months to 5 months and two weeks.
On 17.12.2021 the Ministry of Health announced that 28 specimens with the Omicron mutation were identified in Cyprus.
In his statements on 20.12.2021, President Anastasiadis said that "if the measures for the pandemic are not observed, we will inevitably be led to stricter ones.
On 21.12.2021, the Minister of Health Michalis Hadjipandelas announced the new measures decided by the Council of Ministers with the aim of limiting the spread of the virus in view of the Christmas holidays.
Specifically, among other things, it decided to reopen the schools after the Christmas holidays on January 10. Upon return, all students, teachers and other staff should present with a 72-hour negative PCR laboratory test or a 48-hour Rapid antigen detection test.
Also, as of December 22, 2021, all workers who have completed their vaccination program against COVID-19 or hold a certificate of illness (lasting 180 days) are required to submit a negative laboratory test PCR or Rapid test for 7 days to enter their workplace. Employees who received the booster / 3rd dose of vaccine are excluded.
It was also decided to reduce the time period of the disease certificate against the disease COVID-19 from 6 months (180 days) to 3 months (90 days) with effect from 31 January 2022.
On 27.12.2021 the negative record of 1.925 cases emerged COVID-19 while on 28.12.2021 2.241 cases were recorded.
On 29.12.2021, a day when 3.002 cases were recorded, the Council of Ministers met in the evening to take measures. The Minister of Health had a meeting with the members of the Advisory Scientific Committee, where the experts submitted suggestions.
The Minister decided to tighten the control measures at the gates of the Republic, abolish the safe pass to those who have not completed their vaccination program and additional measures to limit the transmission to meeting places, and telework for 40% of the staff of each company or organization service sector.
On 29.12.2021 the total number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic was 157.928 with 635 deaths.