Ministerial: New measures against the coronavirus were decided today

New measures to deal with the spread of the coronavirus were decided on Wednesday by the Council of Ministers, which will enter into force on January 28, 2022.

The Council of Ministers made amendments, concerning the protocol of close contact cases, as well as an extension of the measure "test to stay", which so far applies to schools, for specific professional groups.

Among the measures decided is the weekly diagnostic test for children aged 2-5 years.

More specifically, the Council of Ministers decided to replace the PCR laboratory test with a rapid antigen test on the 7th day, as stated in the protocol for managing close contacts of confirmed positive cases and based on this they should limit themselves for 10 days. This decision enters into force on January 28, 2022.

Therefore, release earlier than 10 days, can be done with a rapid antigen test with a negative result on the 7th day, from contact or later, at the same cost.

It is noted that the decision to replace PCR with rapid test on the 7th day, excludes health professionals who work in private and public hospitals, nursing homes and closed structures.

Regarding the implementation of the test to stay measure in schools, the Ministry decided that students who are close contacts, instead of PCR will be able to undergo a Rapid test, for release on the 7th day.

Therefore, students who use this measure, from Monday, January 24, 2022, will have to undergo a Rapid test, for a period of 7 days through the sampling points announced daily by the Ministry of Health and operating in schools.

In addition, it was decided to implement the test to stay measure in health professionals of public and private hospitals, in Police and Fire Service, with the date of implementation of the measure to be announced in the coming days and consultation between competent Ministries and Services.

Moreover, from January 28, 2022, the Ministry recommends for children aged 2-5 years to conduct a rapid antigen test (rapid test) once a week, for their attendance in kindergartens and pre-primary.

It is noted that the rapid test examination will be provided free of charge through the sampling points of the Ministry of Health.
All existing and new measures will be valid until February 17, 2022.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health states that in recent days there has been a steady course of epidemiological indicators, with the number of daily cases showing a decrease.

However, he notes that "complacency is not allowed and there needs to be constant vigilance by all for the faithful observance of the health protocols".

"According to the data of the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit of the Ministry of Health, from 15 to 21 January 2022, 13.997 positive cases were recorded within the community, with the decrease being recorded in all age groups," he said.

Finally, the Ministry of Health states that it is constantly on the alert and evaluates all scientific and / or epidemiological data together with the Scientific Advisory Committee, noting that it is guided by the safest operation of society, with the aim of protecting and defending it. health of all citizens.