Cyprus 'very close' to ending all covid restrictions

The Cypriot government is "very close" to ending all coronavirus restrictions according to health minister, who says hospitalizations were down significantly in the last couple of days.

Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantela on Thursday said he expected additional relaxations to be decided during a meeting next Monday, at the beginning of Greek Holy Week.

“I’m waiting to hear what the scientists have to say,” the minister said.

Hadjipantela, who was attending a cancer event on behalf of the government, said he would first need to be briefed by scientists before any decisions could be made.

“As you all know, in the last few days we had great results. The number of cases went down significantly, while a reduction in hospitalizations in the last couple of days was also significant,” he said.

Critics have been voicing discontent over the government’s slow response to improved pandemic conditions in the last few weeks, citing examples from other countries that lifted restrictions.

“If these developments continue and we don’t have a new mutation, then I believe we are very close just like those other countries,” Hadjipantela said.

Safe Pass, a measure restricting people’s access to public spaces based on health conditions, has already been removed for many places, while on Monday the state will also abolish the Cyprus Flight Pass for entry into the country.

An updated protocol guide has also been updated on the website of the deputy ministry, which also thanked loyal visitors “for turning Cyprus into one of the most popular European holiday destinations for 2021.”

A total of 54,299 tests were carried out on Wednesday with the overall daily positivity rate standing at 2.6%.