Coronavirus: Future in all our hands says minister as relaxations come into place

As Monday sees further easing of Covid restrictions in the Republic, with certain school years returning to class, Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou urged people to follow measures to avoid any setbacks.

“The future is in all our hands,” the minister said in a tweet, adding that the situation would be continually evaluated.

Afternoon schools and gyms will also re-open on Monday, among others, albeit with limitations.

As previously, announced, fourth and fifth-year high-school pupils will return to class in state and private schools, joining their sixth-year schoolmates.

The rest of the years are now expected to return on March 16.

Pupils physically attending class must undergo rapid antigen testing on a weekly basis.

Music schools, afternoon tuition, and other extracurricular activities will also open, with the physical presence of two people – teacher and student.

Art centres and galleries reopen according to health protocols, as well as gyms, dance schools and other indoor sports facilities, including swimming pools.

According to health protocols, gyms can only open for personal training, while indoor sports facilities up to 80 square metres can only host two people, including the trainer.

Larger facilities between 80 and 200 square metres can host three people including the trainer, while four athletes plus the trainer are allowed in facilities beyond 200 square metres.

Division three training sessions and fixtures are also set to resume Monday under the same protocols applied in the first and second tiers.

Nature paths are open to the public. People can also visit relatives in care homes in line with health protocols. Outdoor bazars beyond those selling food street vendors are also permitted.

The 9pm to 5am curfew remains in place, as does the need to secure permission via text message. The system will see some changes to accommodate the additional relaxations.

Category ‘5’ will also apply for care home visits, while ‘6’ includes gyms, nature paths, and dance schools.

Bazars, outdoor markets are included in ‘2’ and ‘9’ covers art centres and galleries.