The problems that have been caused in the world and businesses due to the restrictions that still apply are understandable, however it is a matter of Public Health and we must be careful with the relaxations, said today the Minister of Health Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou.
Speaking on the sidelines of the memorial service for those killed during the Turkish invasion of Larnaca in 1974, you were asked to say whether Cyprus' policy regarding the pandemic cases, which are mostly imported in recent days, is changing. Health stated that "at the moment we do not see any reason to change anything in our policy. There is a global increase in cases and a resurgence in various countries. We seem to be doing very well at the moment. We expected an increase in cases with the opening of airports. Checks are carried out at the airport and for this the cases are confirmed due to the increased checks. By decision of the Ministry three days ago we have doubled the sampling checks at the airports, in an effort to identify as many positives as possible to isolate them. With the measures we take, I believe that we are on the right track ".
Continuing, he characteristically stated that it is very important for all of us to continue to observe the self-protection measures. "Only in this way can we reduce the spread of the virus. "The virus still exists, we have not gotten rid of the virus as many people think and if we do not take self-protection measures, then there may be a problem in the future," he stressed.
Asked if the roadblocks will be opened, Mr. Ioannou clarified that no final decision has been made yet, noting that "roadblocks are being inspected. Where there is a problem is with the asylum seekers who pass through various parts of the Green Line, are identified, and lately we have had some cases. The positive thing is that for about 2 months now, we have passed a decision to the Council of Ministers, like those who cross the Green Line, before they are admitted to the reception centers, a sample check is carried out to limit the dispersion ".
In a journalist's remark that in the last few days we have identified cases that have produced a negative result from their country of origin and then from a private test are found to be positive for the virus, and when asked if it raises concerns about the validity of the tests they provide, the Minister clarified that This is the case with the tests carried out in foreign countries and that is why we have requested that these laboratories be verified. He also clarified that this has not happened with a laboratory in Cyprus, explaining that several times it happens that a person is negative for the virus and in a repeat test is positive after a few days. This, he explained, is due to the fact that the virus also takes a few days to manifest and be detected in the laboratory examination.
Answering a question whether there are concerns about the epidemiological picture of Greece, with the increase of cases and the reinstatement of measures such as the use of a mask in supermarkets, Mr. Ioannou stressed that in Cyprus this practice has not stopped. "In some measures we are still strict, such as restricting people to gatherings, banning festivals, mandatory use in supermarkets and restaurants," he said.
Finally, when asked if more relaxations should be expected, the Minister of Health stressed that "everything is being evaluated and we are moving forward. We understand the problem that can exist in companies and in the world, but we must understand that it is a matter of Public Health, the virus has caused problems for all of us and until a vaccine is found, some restrictions will still exist ".
He noted that the image in Greece worries us and that is why it is monitored by the team of experts and depending on their recommendations, the necessary decisions are taken in relation to the categorization of countries.
Famagusta.News / ΚΥΠΕ