COVID-19 Claims Six More Lives - Health Ministry

COVID-19 claimed six more lives, bringing the total number of deaths to 163, said the Health Ministry.

COVID-19 claimed six more lives, bringing the total number of deaths to 163, said the Health Ministry. There are 59 patients in serious condition out of 198 people hospitalised for COVID-1…

There are 59 patients in serious condition out of 198 people hospitalised for COVID-19, a potentially deadly coronavirus. Another 227 positive cases were confirmed today, according to the Health Ministry.

Worldwide, 1,97 million people have passed away from COVID-19.

Another lockdown is back in Cyprus after the Health Ministry issued a new order restricting movement.

A summary of the measures is below.

• Starting at 5am on Sunday, January 10 and until midnight on January 31, everyone must stay at home and get permission to go outside. The maximum amount of times you can go outside is twice. People are allowed to go outdoors for work purposes but must have a signed Form A from their employer. You’re also allowed to go out to pharmacies, medical centres, doctors and vets for emergency purposes and urgent needs.
• If you need to go out more than two times, send an SMS to 8998 only in the case of necessary visits to state services that can’t be done online; picking up takeaway orders; getting a rapid COVID test; bank transactions that can’t be done online; assisting someone in a vulnerable group; physical training; weddings; funerals or baptisms with up to 10 people; movement of divorced parents; treatment for the disabled; movement of soldiers; movement to and from airports; and movement for feeding or exercising pets. Everyone must carry their ID with them and confirmation they have permission by SMS.
• You can go outside without SMS permission if there are no more than two persons walking the dog within 500 metres of the home, assisting the disabled, or taking children for a walk or to class.
• When driving, members of the same family don’t have to wear masks but members of different families are only allowed up to three persons in the car and must wear masks.
• Education will be done largely online with the exception of kindergartens and junior schools.

In other measures, there is a curfew between 9pm and 5am, all events are prohibited and hospitality venues stay closed. Workplaces can accept up to 15 percent of their workforce capacity or a maximum of 20 persons. Everyone else has to work from home. Theatres, hairdressers, gyms and entertainment venues must stay closed. Sports events will be held without audiences.

The second wave of COVID moved much faster than the first. Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said it is critical to prevent a rise in hospitalisations as the medical centres have already reached their red lines.

The new measures complicate the vaccination programme which has started with medical staff and vulnerable groups.

For more information, visit the Health Ministry’s website.