Cyprus OKs COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 5-11

NICOSIA, Cyprus — Cyprus volition commencement vaccinating kids betwixt the ages of 5 to 11, the authorities said Monday successful caller bid to caput disconnected different COVID-19 surge pursuing the archetypal confirmed cases of the omicron variant connected the eastbound Mediterranean land nation.

Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantela besides said individuals tin person booster shots 2 weeks sooner than the antecedently mandatory six-month waiting play aft their 2nd vaccine shot.

New measures announced aft a Cabinet gathering besides tightened restrictions aimed astatine infected individuals oregon anyone qualifying arsenic a adjacent contact.

Hadjipantela said anyone diagnosed with the omicron variant oregon immoderate different caller mutation volition person to acquisition compulsory isolation astatine their accustomed residence.

Close contacts volition beryllium required to acquisition a accelerated antigen trial wrong 72 hours and a PCR trial a week later. Booster changeable recipients are exempted.

Meanwhile, the country’s SafePass — oregon impervious of vaccination — volition beryllium revoked arsenic of Wednesday for anyone not receiving a booster changeable wrong 7 months of completing their inoculation.

Also arsenic of this week, unvaccinated radical volition beryllium barred from attending christenings, weddings and edifice receptions connected apical of an earlier determination to exclude them from stadiums, cinemas, theaters and nightclubs.

Hadjipantela renewed his entreaty for everyone eligible to beryllium vaccinated alternatively of acting “selfishly” oregon “irresponsibly.”

Between Nov. 23 and Dec. 6, the corruption complaint successful the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot southbound of the ethnically divided land was 753 per 100,000 people. Overall, 606 radical with COVID-19 person died present successful the pandemic.