Relaxation of measures but…with rules

What will the epidemiologists suggest to Cabinet Ministers?

by Andreas Kokkinos

In the last few days, the debate over possible relaxations has been heating up, with the positions of both the Minister of Health and a group of epidemiologists setting the tone for the next decisions.

The landscape remains murky.  Despite the stabilization of case numbers and its downward trend after the big outbreak at the beginning of the year, cases continue to reach high numbers, hovering at a little over 2,000 per day.

Dancing, dining & nightclubs for unvaccinated minors

As we had reported from the middle of last week in Kathimerini -after the statements of Michalis Hadjipandella- there is an intention to discuss the possibility of allowing unvaccinated persons into restaurants and perhaps entertainment venues. Of course, this recommendation will only apply to children aged 12-17 years and in case it is approved, it will require a negative rapid test valid for 24 hours.

In addition, the professor of Molecular Virology at the University of Nicosia and a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee confirmed to Kathimerini their intention to lift the ban on dancing at nightclubs and restaurants.

Mass expansion of Test to Stay

The pilot week of the Test to Stay program in schools, despite the problems, has been considered a complete success. This is because the large number of students who would otherwise be in self-isolation were now given the opportunity to continue attending classes at their schools with daily testing.

This opens the door for its expansion into various other sectors in essential services.  The Ministry of Health is in contact with 3 other Ministries to discuss the possible implementation of the program in other areas such as the police, the National Guard and branches of the public services sector

Small relaxations if and when

The maximum number of people at weddings and baptisms, the increase of the maximum number in gatherings as well as the increase of the capacity in catering and entertainment centers (either in the total area or in the number per table) are among the issues that will also be put on the table. Nevertheless, sources close to Kathimerini are saying that these relaxations may be “put on ice” for now until there is a larger drop in the number of daily cases.