Roadmap for managing the pandemic in the coming months

Α draft roadmap regarding the management of COVID-19 in the coming months will be discussed Friday in a new meeting of the members of the Advisory Scientific Committee and the Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipantela.

As CNA has learnt, the roadmap is divided into pillars, concerning among others the strategy to increase the vaccination coverage of the population and the epidemiological surveillance system including testing and the management of cases in hospitals.

The protocols prepared by the Ministry of Education to be implemented at the beginning of the new school year will also be put before the experts. Among others the Ministry of Education suggests the use of protective masks in closed areas by students over 12 years.

Speaking to CNA, the Communication Advisor to the Minister of Health Constantinos Athanasiou, said that the draft has already been sent to the involved parties, including the State Health Services Organization (SHSO), as well as to the members of the Advisory Committee, for evaluation and submission of proposals in order to approve a final strategy. According to Athanasiou, the final plan is expected to be approved before the end of the month.

He added that a report to introduce air purification devices in schools was also sent to the experts. A pilot programme by the Minister of Education introduced the use of air cleaning devices in some classrooms in Cyprus. After the evaluation of the relevant report the Ministry is expected to announce a tender for the purchase of a significant number of such systems to be used in schools all over Cyprus.