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Club and restaurant ban on unvaxxed to be lifted next week (update 3)

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As of Monday, unvaccinated people will be allowed to enter cafes, restaurants and bars among others

The ban on the entry of unvaccinated people to restaurants, cafés, bars and nightclubs will be lifted as of next week while dancing will also be allowed, cabinet decided on Tuesday as part of relaxations to the coronavirus measures.

Speaking after the meeting, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas said the relaxations were decided following a stabilisation in the epidemiological indicators in recent days that has led to decreased pressure on the health system.

But any decisions must be taken gradually to avoid a possible surge in cases, he added, explaining “the epidemiological situation can change at any moment”.

He said the island had “withstood the attacks of the deadly virus with sacrifices, with restrictions to our daily lives, with changes in our habits and certainly with losses for some that cannot be replaced”.

The important thing, he said, is that “we have succeeded through everyone’s efforts” to keep the schools open as well as businesses during the Christmas holidays”.

Cabinet decided people who have not had a coronavirus vaccine will also be able to attend events such as weddings, baptisms, visit stadiums, theatres, cinemas and stay at hotels and other tourist accommodations.

Entry to the businesses will be allowed upon presentation of a 24hour negative rapid test for people aged 12 and over.

For unvaccinated children aged 6 to 11, a negative weekly rapid test will be required, while minors aged 5 and under do not require testing.

For other places, testing requirements are the same for minors up to the age of 11, while teenagers aged 12 to 17 need a negative 72-hour PCR or rapid test for a valid SafePass.

Adults will be asked to have a 48-hour negative rapid test or a 72-hour negative PCR test.

The decisions include people who have only received one dose of a two-dose anti-coronavirus jab.

Dancing will also be allowed following the relevant cabinet decision, which will also see an increase in the maximum number of people allowed on the premises, the minister said. A special protocol will be created for night clubs after consultations with the relevant bodies, including night club owners.

Since mid-December, entry to the above places was only allowed to people who have received at least one dose of the vaccine and present a negative 72-hour PCR or 48-hour rapid test.

The maximum number of people permitted in the mentioned businesses will also be increased from 200 to 250 as of February 21, adhering to health protocols and the maximum number of people allowed per square metre which remains in force.

Capacity in stadiums will also be increased to 70 per cent next week.

As of Monday, more people will also be allowed at social gatherings, as the maximum number of customers able to sit together at a table will be increased from eight to 12 and the number allowed in houses from 10 to 20 excluding minors up to 12 years.

Regarding workplaces, officials decided to reduce the percentage of remote workers from the current 50 per cent to 25 per cent next week, excluding essential services. The percentage includes workers who are self-isolating, either because they are infected or are close contacts, as well as those on leave.

Despite the relaxations, mandatory testing will be introduced in pre-primary school children aged 4 and over who will be required to get tested once a week starting Monday.

Furthermore, the controversial test to stay policy, which has been in place in schools and the national guard was extended to nursery schools and the entire public service.

The implementation of the measure in schools was also extended, while the date and details of implementation in younger children will be announced after consultations with the employees in kindergartens and parents associations.

Under the measure, people who are deemed close contacts may choose to undergo testing for seven consecutive days instead of self-isolating. The measure was already extended to health professionals, fire service and police but has not been put into force yet.

Additional measures were also announced for nursing homes, where a surge in cases has been recorded in recent days.

Workers in nursing homes, or other facilities treating people belonging to vulnerable groups, homeless people or children, will be required to present a negative 72-hour PCR test or a 24-hour rapid test. The new measure includes those who have been fully vaccinated against the virus or have recovered from it.

Non-urgent surgeries will also resume as of February 28.

However, patients will continue to be referred to accident and emergency departments of private hospitals to relieve some pressure on the public hospitals.

The remaining measures will stay in force until March 14.

Earlier on Tuesday, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas met the epidemiological team to hear their suggestions.

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