Committee decides no to additional measures, yes to booster shots

[Paphos Life]

Health Minister Michael Hadjipantelas today had a meting with the members of the Advisory Scientific Committee on Covid-19. During the meeting they reviewed the epidemiological picture of the country in recent days and the committee made some suggestions about the next steps in view of the increase of confirmed cases and hospitalizations....

Read the article and chat about it below...

[memory man]

New measures to curb Covid-19 spread in Cyprus on the cards, after all



Hours only after the government said it would not introduce additional measures to contain an uptick in coronavirus cases in Cyprus the situation seems to have changed, Philenews reported on Wednesday.

In fact, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas on Tuesday said necessary new protective measures are on the cards since the rise in the virus infections in recent days is alarming.

And that during his next meeting with the team of epidemiologists advising the government crucial decisions could be taken. These will have to be approved by Cabinet – meeting again next Wednesday, the Minister also said.

Covid-19 hospital admissions were on the rise as the government presses on with efforts to boost vaccination coverage and extending the booster shot to everyone over 18.

The Minister but also the scientists have highlighted the importance of adhering to protocols and other measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.

https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/new-mea ... -afterall/

[memory man]

Additional protective measures against Covid to be announced – probably next week

Additional protective measures aiming to curb the spread of the coronavirus in Cyprus are on the cards – probably to be announced next week, Philenews reported on Friday citing insiders.

Because of the constantly deteriorating epidemiological state of play, insiders also said.

At the moment, the intention of the government and health scientists advising the state does not include strict restrictions or closure of businesses or measures that would divide citizens into vaccinated and non-vaccinated.

However, measures that may affect specific businesses and citizens’ activities are under review.

Moreover, Health Minister Michalis Hatzipantelas has confirmed that proposals are on the table but that final decisions are pending. Including the introduction of the third booster shot being included in a SafePass.

“If the recommendations of the experts include this, then we will take it seriously,” he also said. This is one of the ways to speed up the island’s vaccinations process.

https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/additio ... next-week/

[trevnhil]

Upon reading the article I was puzzled by this ...
" Including the introduction of the third booster shot being included in a SafePass. "

I thought the third (Booster) shot was already included, but it was just a matter of time before it appeared on the Safepass

[galexinda]

Trev, I interpret " Including the introduction of the third booster shot being included in a SafePass. " as meaning that unless people have had the Covid vaccine booster they will be required to present a negative RAT or PCR test similar to the unvaccinated due to the fact that the effectiveness of the vaccine wanes after a few months of being administered.

[trevnhil]

The problem is that the third (Booster) is not showing up on the Safepass. Hopefully it will be there before too long

[memory man]

Will we be issued with a new vaccination card with the booster printed on it?

If not, does that mean the vaccination card which we have is now obsolete?

[galexinda]

When the booster is given a new vaccination card is issued with the details of the booster on it.
There is space for an additional booster at a later date - should it be required.

[memory man]

When the booster is given a new vaccination card is issued with the details of the booster on it.
There is space for an additional booster at a later date - should it be required.

TY