Cyprus Hopes To Roll Out Covid Vaccine By Year-end
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published December 04, 2020 | 05:30 PM
Nicosia, Dec 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Dec, 2020 ) :Cyprus expects its first deliveries of Covid-19 vaccines before the end of the year as part of the rollout across Europe once the drugs are approved, officials said Friday.
Zoi Dorothea Pana, a member of the government's coronavirus task force, said two manufacturers -- AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech -- had pledged to start supplying countries with their vaccines in December.
If all goes according to plan, Cyprus will get 119,024 doses from AstraZeneca and 48,955 from Pfizer/BioNTech, according to government advisers.
In total, Cyprus has ordered around 1.8 million doses from AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech and Janssen, with each vaccine requiring two shots for immunity.
Cyprus expects to receive 1,192,043 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from December through to the second quarter of 2022.
Delivery of 391,637 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is expected this month, and this would continue until the third quarter of 2021.
Another 200,000 doses are expected from Janssen from the second quarter of next year.
Once the rollout starts, those given priority will be front line workers like hospital staff plus high-risk vulnerable groups with serious illness.
Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou has said Covid-19 vaccines would not be obligatory.
Cyprus, a member of the European Union, takes part in all four agreements signed by the European Commission with the vaccine companies.
- Safe travel scheme - Once the European Medicines Agency approve a vaccine it needs confirmation from the European Commission before distribution can begin.
A deal for the Moderna vaccine has yet to be completed.
Cyprus on Thursday approved a new four-tier safe travel list in place of a three-category system to revive tourism, which has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the new regime that is to take effect from March 1, arrivals who can prove they are vaccinated against Covid-19 will no longer need to present a negative PCR test upon arrival.
Other travellers will have to meet the requirements for their country of origin.
The scheme is based on country risk assessments by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
It includes a green tier that allows free entry to the island for people arriving from low-risk countries.
Passengers arriving from orange tier countries with a higher risk will have to present a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours of travelling.
Those from red tier countries will be allowed to enter Cyprus if they carry a negative PCR test and undergo another test upon arrival at the airport. They will not have to self-isolate.
A final, grey category is for people who are not Cypriot citizens or residents who require special permission to enter from high risk countries.
They will be required to present a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure and go into quarantine after arriving.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Delegation of international investors meets Finance Minister
Federal Govt stands with Balochistan for its development: Naqvi
UAE President receives condolences of Prime Minister of Pakistan over passing of ..
ECC approves to enhance wheat procurement targets
UN urges Israel to 'stop escalation' as tanks enter Gaza's Rafah city
EU stumps up $125 mn for Yemen after aid groups' plea
Governor Tessori condemns May 9 riots, calls it a 'pre-planned conspiracy'
PM condoles with UAE President over Sheikh Tahnoun’s death
Milan nets Giro 4th stage, Pogacar retains lead
UBS back in profit after Credit Suisse takeover losses
Asiya Gul lauds Shafaat's services as DG LG
President for dialogue with all political forces in Balochistan
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Concerted efforts urged to ease traffic flow on city roads
3 days ago -
Land degradation: A threat to food security
3 days ago -
Revamping health sector, a gigantic task ahead
3 days ago -
American band promotes intercultural harmony thru music fusions
4 days ago -
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
5 days ago -
Experts for ending child labour
7 days ago
-
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
7 days ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
9 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
10 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
10 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
11 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
12 days ago