Cabinet on Friday approved some easing of coronavirus measures allowing more people at football matches and in theatres, cinemas, restaurants, and events.

Given the possibility of seasonal viruses in tandem with Covid-19 and the need to allow more time for the vaccination of more people with the booster shot, cabinet decided to ease the measures, the health ministry said.

This means football matches can be attended at 75 per cent of the stadium’s capacity on the condition that fans will either be fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 within the past six months or present a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours.

As regards theatres, amphitheatres and cinemas, they may let in up to 300 people indoors and 350 outdoors with a SafePass. However if they choose to operate at the now allowed 75 per cent of their capacity, they can let in only people who are fully vaccinated, or who present a certificate of recovery from Covid-19 not older than six months, or a negative 72-hour PCR test certificate.

Cabinet also raised the maximum number of people indoors as regards social events from 250 to 300 people, with the necessary SafePass presentation, or from 450 to 500, provided those in attendance are fully vaccinated or who have recovered from Covid-19 in the past six months.

The number of people allowed at a table rises from 10 to 12.

The changes regarding the maximum number of people concern:

– Churches and other places of religious worship

– Weddings, baptisms and funerals,

– Events, including weddings and christenings in restaurants, event and reception venues, hotels and / or tourist accommodation, nightclubs, entertainment venues and music and dance venues

– Dining areas: restaurants, taverns, cafes, pubs, snack bars and bars, cafes and restaurants within shopping malls, restaurants within hotels and tourist accommodation, canteens and / or sports clubs, cultural clubs, etc.

– Nightclubs, banquet halls, discotheques, music and dance venues

– Matches held in stadiums and sports facilities (excluding football fields).

These and measures that have not been changed will be in place until October 29.

The health ministry said it continues to “closely monitor the progress of epidemiological indicators and re-evaluates the data on a regular basis.” The goal, it said, “is reaching the maximum possible shielding and protection that will allow us to adequately respond to the needs that may arise in view of the winter.”