x

Society

Health Officials on Cyprus Divided Over COVID-19 Measures

November 18, 2021

With COVID-19 stubbornly lingering on Cyprus despite a high vaccination rate, health officials are reportedly set to consider other measures to deal with the pandemic, including self-tests but some believe enough has been done.

The talk is being brought, said The Cyprus News Agency (ANA) because of continuing high numbers of cases, with Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas to meet with the government’s advisory panel of doctors and scientists.

“The health ministry is monitoring the situation and on Monday (Nov. 22) suggestions by the experts are expected, in order to decide whether any additional measures will be taken,” Constantinos Athanasiou, the minister’s communication advisor told CNA.

On the table, it was said that there could be new restrictions on public gatherings and going to remote work again instead of people going to their places of business or work.

The government also is urging the fully vaccinated to get booster shots but hasn’t made inoculation mandatory for all with anti-vaxxer resisting any attempt to make them be protected from a virus some of them doubt even exists.

The head of the pediatricians’ association and Secretary of the medical association, Michalis Anastasiades, said that the skeptics have to be convinced as they’re not being forced to be vaccinated.

“A way must be found to persuade all these people, especially the 12- to 17-year-olds, to get vaccinated,” Anastasiades told state broadcaster CyBC.

“We have not seen an increase in the percentage of vaccinations of children over 12,” he said. Vaccination coverage in this age group does not exceed 45 percent, he said.

RELATED

ATHENS - "Turkiye must respect the European acquis, which fully includes the participation at all levels of the Republic of Cyprus," Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis stressed on Friday in an interview with "Kanali Ena", commenting on the conclusions of the European Council, which link the progress of EuroTurkish relations with developments in the Cyprus issue.

Top Stories

Columnists

A pregnant woman was driving in the HOV lane near Dallas.

General News

NEW YORK – Meropi Kyriacou, the new Principal of The Cathedral School in Manhattan, was honored as The National Herald’s Educator of the Year.

Video

Indians Vote in the First Phase of the World’s Largest Election as Modi Seeks a Third Term

NEW DELHI (AP) — Millions of Indians began voting Friday in a six-week election that's a referendum on Narendra Modi, the populist prime minister who has championed an assertive brand of Hindu nationalist politics and is seeking a rare third term as the country's leader.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Casper Ruud defeated Jordan Thompson in straight sets to earn his season-leading 26th win and secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the Barcelona Open on Thursday.

ATHENS - "Turkiye must respect the European acquis, which fully includes the participation at all levels of the Republic of Cyprus," Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis stressed on Friday in an interview with "Kanali Ena", commenting on the conclusions of the European Council, which link the progress of EuroTurkish relations with developments in the Cyprus issue.

ATHENS - Main opposition SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, in an announcement on Friday, expressed "deep concern and its unequivocal condemnation of the new escalation of tension in the Middle East with Israel's show of force against Iran.

VENICE, Italy (AP) — A pair of nude feet — dirty, wounded and vulnerable — are painted on the façade of the Venice women’s prison chapel.

Enter your email address to subscribe

Provide your email address to subscribe. For e.g. [email protected]

You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in our newsletter.