Roadmap for managing COVID-19 in the coming months

The Ministry of Health services are in the final stretch to prepare a road map to manage COVID-19 in the next months, the Minister of Health’s Communications Advisor Constantinos Athanasiou told CNA on Tuesday, adding that on Friday a new meeting with the members of the Scientific Advisory Committee will be held.

He said the Ministry has prepared a draft roadmap on handling COVID for the next months which will be sent to all parties involved, including the State Health Services Organisation.

The members of the committee will also receive the draft to evaluate it and submit suggestions during Friday’s meeting while the final plan is expected to be approved by the end of the month.

The final roadmap in managing the pandemic concerns actions which the Ministry of Health will undertake in the event of a rise in cases while if the epidemiological situation remains stable, the ministry will decide on the frequency of tests to be carried out and where they should be performed.

He said the preparation of school protocols and the use of mask in indoor areas is an issue still pending.

Constantinou told CNA that Friday’s meeting will not take any measures to curb the spread of the virus but rather programming on handling the pandemic in the next months which will be valid only if necessary.

Asked where the issue of the fourth booster stands, Athanasiou said that it is still open and the ministry will examine ways to increase awareness about the programme. He added that the fourth dose concerns only citizens over the age of 60 and those who are immunosuppressed.