The final measure will be the total lockdown, said the Minister of Health Konstantinos Ioannou, announcing a series of nationwide emergency measures that will take effect between November 30 and December 13 and lifting the ban to and from the provinces of Limassol and Paphos. He also said that if there is an improvement in the epidemiological picture, there will be a relaxation of measures between December 14 and January 7, including more relaxed measures for the holidays.
Speaking during a press conference, the Minister of Health stated that such a large mobilization is impossible without mistakes and omissions, apologizing to the citizens for the suffering of the last days ". "Our concern is to shield the Health System, so that it can meet the needs of our patients," he assured.
Mr. Ioannou acknowledged the fatigue and uncertainty caused by the pandemic in everyone's daily life, but addressed a "warm appeal" and asked for the understanding and help of the citizens. "This year's festivities will be unprecedented and we may be deprived of loved ones and things," he said. "Let's give this Christmas to the people we love," he said.
The Minister of Health also stated that "unlike almost all European countries, Cyprus did not proceed to a second total lockdown, precisely because, despite the epidemiological burden, we believe that at present we can keep this last measure in reserve, in if necessary ".
Read here: CYPRUS: All new restrictive measures in detail
I do not want to beautify the image, he said, adding that "lately the Health System is under pressure. The patients we are treating today are the positive cases of coronavirus that we had 10 days ago and showed deterioration ".
According to Mr. Ioannou, "in November, 26 patients were admitted to the Intensive Care Units, while 22 of our fellow human beings lost their lives due to the disease".
"Almost half the deaths (48 in total) since the beginning of the pandemic were recorded in November. "A negative element that forces us to look for ways to stop new outbreaks," he said.
He also announced that "these days the vaccination program that we will implement in Cyprus is being formed, in order to give priority to our vulnerable fellow human beings, ie our chronic patients, our elderly, our parents, our grandparents, the professionals. health ".
Read here: CYPRUS: Kerfiou from 9 pm and operation of restaurants until 7 pm
Answering a question, Mr. Ioannou stated that the schools will operate normally and the third high school in Limassol and Paphos will reopen.
Source: KYPE