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Coronavirus: UK variant set to create epidemiological burden in coming weeks

Covid-19 testing

An epidemiological burden is expected in the next six to 12 weeks in many countries, including Cyprus, because of the aggressive spread of the new Covid-19 variant first detected in the UK, the health ministry said on Monday.

“As has already been pointed out in statements by the President of the European Commission, but also by officials of various countries, there is great and intense concern, as in the next six to 12 weeks an epidemiological burden is expected to be observed in the states, due to the increased transmissibility and aggressive spread of the new variant,” the ministry said. The new variant has been located in most EU countries, including Cyprus.

Last week, it said, the Commission urged member states to limit non-essential travel while council president Ursula von der Leyen called on member states to implement measures to prevent the closure of borders, but also a future lockdown.

“These measures include increased lab tests at the entry points and the restriction of passengers, mainly from the UK, where the new variant’s hotspot is located.”

These recommendations seem to be adopted one by one by the states, the ministry said.

“For example, France has announced that a negative test certificate is required, while Belgium, in parallel with the negative test that passengers from the UK must present (not older than 72 hours), has announced that PCR tests will be performed on arrival and on the seventh day, while a 10-day self-isolation should be observed.”

The ministry added that based on the categorisation of countries applied by Cyprus all passengers from the UK must present a negative test not older than 72 hours prior to their arrival in Cyprus.

As of December 21, the UK has been put in category C, which means that only certain categories of people (Cypriots, permanent residents, etc.) can enter Cyprus, while tests are performed on all flights from the UK on arrival and passengers are taken to hotels for mandatory a seven-day quarantine.

A second test is performed on the sixth day after arrival and those who have a negative result must continue to self-isolate until they have completed 10 days in total, in their homes.

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