The current restrictive measures for the coronavirus in Cyprus are planned to be gradually relaxed by March, with some of them being lifted every fortnight, according to Dr Petros Karayiannis, a member of the Presidential Advisory Council.

However, according to the virologist, the permission SMS for leaving home will not be cancelled first – it is likely that the requirement to notify the authorities about their movements and get approval from the system each time will last into February as well.

As Karayiannis explained, the notable reduction in new covid cases has been achieved largely by minimising contact between people, and the absence of SMS will create a temptation for people to meet more often. “I believe that the restriction on meetings should be maintained for some time to achieve better results,” he summarised.

As a reminder, the advisory board is meeting today to formulate proposals for the removal of the measures. They have to be approved later by the Council of Ministers.