Coronavirus:  Prodromou non-committal amid reports schools could close early

The operation of schools is under discussion and any decision will be announced, Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou said on Thursday amid media reports authorities were considering closing primary schools earlier as Cyprus continues to report a stubbornly high number of positive coronavirus cases.

Asked whether primary schools will be closing early for Easter, Prodromou wondered why primary schools are being singled out.

A three-party committee formed by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and the advisory scientific committee are discussing the issue, he said, adding that “suggestions and ideas are being considered to see how we will adapt”.

Prodromou spoke to media after he and other members of the cabinet were administered the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The vaccination plan will give us the opportunity to change the reality we have been living in for so long, he said, adding that “if we all get vaccinated we will be able to change things by the summer”.

“We want to send the message that we must avoid rumours,” he remarked. “Vaccinations have been approved internationally, at a European, global level, and all Cypriot citizens must collectively do what we can”.

It is in our hand to reach herd immunity, because otherwise we will keep being forced to adopt measures that displease and frustrate us, he concluded.

Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou, asked by CyBC, said that no decision has been taken but added what was being discussed as a possibility was primary schools starting their Easter holidays a week earlier.