The Ministry of Health provides clarifications on the decisions of the Council of Ministers to stop the spread of COVID-19 disease.
The clarifications are as follows:
(a) Reopening of schools after the Christmas break on January 10. Upon return, all students, teachers and other staff, must submit a negative Rapid Test for 48 hours.
- The decision includes all without exception, regardless of historical vaccination, as well as persons holding a COVID-19 disease certificate.
- The test for this day will be performed by submitting in printed form or in a text message the result of the Rapid test.
(b) As of December 22, 2021, all workers who have completed their Covid- 19 vaccination program with two doses of two-dose vaccines and one dose of single-dose vaccine, or who hold a disease certificate (lasting 180 days) are required to submit a negative rapid antigen detection tests concerned rapid test with over 7 days for entering their workplace.
- It is emphasized that employees have 7 days to proceed with a rapid antigen detection test or Rapid antigen detection test.
- Each organization, company, enterprise, can set a specific day on which the employees will be checked for the weekly Rapid test.
- Employees who received the booster / 3rd dose of vaccine are excluded.
- For people who have been vaccinated or who have had COVID-19, the Rapid test is provided free of charge, as well as for those who have received at least one dose of the vaccine and have not had the period required to take the second dose.
- It is clarified that if a transmission chain is recorded in a workplace, all employees without exception will be examined.
- The inspections by the competent services will start on December 29.
(c) As of December 22, 2021, in view of the Christmas holidays, all citizens up before their visit to homes to have conducted a rapid test Rapid antigen detection test with negative result. The rapid antigen Rapid test duration 48 hours detection tests recommended for people who have not received at least one dose of the vaccine, while those who received at least two doses of vaccine may instead Rapid test to carry out self test.
- A self-test is also recommended for people who have received the booster / 3rd dose of vaccine.
- In case of a positive result through self self test, the citizens should contact their Personal Doctor, to refer them for PCR examination to the Public Health Clinics of their province of residence.
- Citizens who are not beneficiaries of GESS, in case of a positive result, should contact the Coordination Center of Public Health Clinics at [email protected] by sending their identification details (name, surname, telephone, ID number, date birth and province), as well as a photo of their positive self-test.
- It is reminded that the presence in homes is allowed with a maximum number of 20 people, including permanent residents and minors.
(d) the reduction of the period of the COVID -19 disease certificate from 6 months (180 days) to 3 months (90 days) with effect from 31 January 2022.
- A relevant announcement will follow in the coming days.
(e) From 22 December 2021 until 6 January 2022, in anticipation of the Christmas holidays, children aged 12-17 years who have not received any dose of the vaccine will be able to attend restaurants (including restaurants in commercial centers and hotels), in theaters, amphitheaters, cinemas, auditoriums, indoor and outdoor stadiums, weddings and christenings with a negative 72-hour Rapid antigen test , accompanied by a parent / guardian program. (at least two doses for dosing vaccines and at least one dose for single-dose vaccine).
- It is clarified that children 12-17 years old accompanied by parents who have completed the vaccination program but the period of 7 months has passed and have not received a booster / 3rd dose of the vaccine will be able to come to these places with a laboratory examination.
- It is recalled that the Safe Pass demonstration is required in places where there is the possibility based on capacity to gather more than 10 people, including employees.
- Children aged 6-11 are excluded, as long as they have a SafePass (negative rapid test for 7 days) and children under 6 do not have any restrictions.
- Individuals who have completed their vaccination regimen are exempt from the necessary condition of having a negative result of laboratory PCR test or rapid antigen test.
- Individuals who received the booster / 3rd dose of vaccine are excluded from the necessary condition to have a negative result of laboratory PCR or rapid antigen test.
- Individuals who have been infected with Covid-19 within the last 6 months are exempt from the necessary condition to have a negative result of laboratory PCR or rapid antigen test.
- In all other areas not mentioned above, the existing provisions based on the decrees continue to apply.
(f) For visitors and staff in day care facilities for vulnerable groups and day care centers co-located in the same premises as nursing homes and other closed care and hospitality structures for the elderly and vulnerable groups, the same measures as in nursing homes and closed structures apply. following the instructions of the Ministry of Health and the State Department of Social Welfare.
- For persons aged 6 to 11 years, a negative test is required with sampling completed within 7 days or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 disease, and for persons aged 12 years and over a negative test within 72 hours, or a certificate complete vaccination regimen, or certificate of recovery from COVID-19 disease lasting 180 days.
