All possibilities remain open, in relation to the impending easing of measures to curb the coronavirus, with the decision to be taken on Wednesday at the political level.
During today's meeting at the Presidential Palace, chaired by the President of the Republic Nikos Anastasiadis, the Epidemiologists submitted their final proposals for the lifting of the measures after January 31, which seem to focus on a gradual and conservative de-escalation of the measures, after expressing fears abrupt easing of measures may lead to a resurgence.
In addition, the Ministers of Health, Finance, Education, Labor and Trade will hold a series of meetings to draw up the final plan for lifting the measures, with a timeline for March.
Their final proposals will be presented on Wednesday before the Council of Ministers, whose members will be called upon to make decisions.
The philosophy around which the Epidemiologists relied for their final presentations was specific.
As the Experts mentioned at the meeting, despite the improvement that is observed, Cyprus continues and is quite charged epidemiologically, while an increase continues to be observed in the hospitals as well.
Concern was also expressed about the increased transmissibility and aggressive spread of the new coronavirus strain, detected in EU Member States, as well as the epidemiological burden expected in the Member States over the next 6 to 12 weeks.
According to information from KYPE, the relaxations will focus on approximately the same plan of last May - June, after the first wave of the pandemic in Cyprus, with some differences, which may be suggested by the Ministries involved.
The sms remain
Experts suggested to the government that any relaxation decided should not encourage mass exits, nor cancel text messages (8998), which are likely to remain in everyday life, with a possible increase of two in three.
After all, at least for the first phase, all restrictions related to travel and gatherings in the houses remain, as well as the restriction on the houses from 9 pm.
However, the issue of returning students to schools remains pending.
Which students return?
According to the information of KYPE, the scenarios for the return of the students to the desks are two, that is, one favors the gradual return of the students, starting with the classes of the Primary School and the other the return of the final year students of the XNUMXrd Lyceum, for proper preparation of their exams.
However, the final decision will be made by the Ministry of Education.
Opening of shopping malls
In the meantime, it has been proposed to open small retail stores, hairdressers, barbershops, beauty salons and tattoo parlors by mid-February, while the opening of large stores and shopping malls will be in the second stage.
Cafes and restaurants will open in early March
For cafes, restaurants, gyms, dance schools and several other businesses that remain closed, the experts' proposal is to open in early March.
"Any sudden relaxation will bring outrage," says Dr. Tsiotis
KYPE contacted the Head of the Scientific Team of the Ministry of Health, Konstantinos Tsioutis, who expressed the belief that "any sudden relaxation will bring outrage".
So, he said, "relaxation should be very careful so that we do not have a sharp rise."
He added, "he wants to pay attention to what we choose, while opening public spaces should be avoided, while contacts and travel should remain limited."
He noted that "although the Scientific Committee takes into account social and psychological factors, as well as economic parameters, its main focus is the protection of health, the improvement of health indicators, so our suggestions here are always based."