Coronavirus: record number of daily tests carried out on Saturday

Monday sees the beginning of the relaxation of Covid restrictions following the latest three-week lockdown that was forced on the public on January 10 as the epidemiological picture improves and the daily positivity rate falls to the lowest point in recent months.

At the same time, the health ministry is scaling up its strategy of preventive controls, especially with the use of rapid antigen tests. Nearly 23,000 tests were performed islandwide on Saturday, a record for daily testing since the pandemic was made official in March last year.

The first phase of relaxations provides for the reopening of hairdressers, barbershops, beauty salons and driving schools. It also increases the proportion of workers that can be on a given premises from 25 per cent to 50 per cent.

Regarding the social gatherings in homes, up to two people are now granted the state’s blessing to visit others if they are first or second degree blood relatives.

The next round of relaxations will be on Monday February 8 when the government will allow retail businesses, including department stores and shopping malls, to reopen. Betting agencies are also reopening.

Students also return to public and private primary schools, as well as the 3rd Grade of Lyceums and Technical Schools. Museums and other archaeological sites will also reopen.

In the meantime, testing will be ramped up for those returning to work.