Professor of Microbiology/Molecular Virology at the Medical School of the University of Cyprus, Petros Karayiannis, has told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that measures aiming to curb the spread of COVID-19 cannot be eased from one day to the other and this is what everyone should realize. He noted that for the measures to be relaxed, confirmed cases per day must drop to 100-150.

If people do not strictly implement the measures then we will face a third wave of the pandemic which will be bigger than the current one, he noted. Karayiannis who is member of the Scientific Advisory Team, assessed that if Cyprus` epidemiological outlook does not change within the next fifteen days then there is a great possibility of having a sharp increase of cases in the middle of January.

Invited to comment on reactions by the people with regard to the new measures announced by Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou on Friday, which will come into effect on Monday, November 30, Karayiannis said that the people need to understand that the measures aim at achieving a certain goal.

Moreover Karayiannis said that the current number of confirmed cases which is over 300 per day is quite high. This is why we did not have the relaxations that some people may have expected. On the contrary the measures will be stricter and island-wide, he added.  He underlined that the measures will bear fruit if they are strictly implemented.

Asked if they are thinking about a total lockdown, Karayiannis said that this is the last tool they will use, noting that this would be painful and will be implemented when this is absolutely necessary.

According to the measures which will be implemented from November 30 to December 13, among others, there will be a curfew from 21.00 to 05.00 (certified exceptions apply for work or medical reasons), only 10 persons at a time are allowed in houses, including minors, religious gatherings can have a maximum of 75 attendees, observing Ministry of Health guidelines, religious ceremonies, such as weddings, baptisms, and funerals, can have a maximum of 10 guests, restaurants, cafeterias and other catering establishments can remain open until 19.00, after which delivery services can be offered, and gyms, swimming pools, and spas close.