The epidemiological situation, scientific advisors’ final views and strict adherence with health protection protocols of educators, children and everyone in their immediate environment, are necessary prerequisites for implementing the decision for resumption of operations of levels of education, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has said, in a televised address, at the Presidential Palace.

President Anastasiades also underlined that the government would never become a part of taking steps backwards, noting that concerns expressed are fully understandable but are not justified since everything depends on the epidemiological conditions at the time of implementation of the decision and always on the basis of the advice given by the scientific team.

He recalled that in his previous address of April 29 on the gradual lifting of restrictive measures he had said that decisions on the gradual lifting of measures both in the first or the second phase will “absolutely depend on the epidemiological indices and the scientific team’s recommendations.”

“Taking into account current epidemiological conditions, the recommendations of the scientific team, the time needed to prepare school units, teachers, parents and other involved parties, the government decided that all levels of education resume operations as of May 21st, which is the start date of the 2nd phase of the lifting of restrictive measures,” he noted.

I wish to be clear, he continued, “the epidemiological situation, the final views of scientific advisors and the strict adherence of health protection protocols of educators, children and everyone in their immediate environment are necessary prerequisites for the implementation of the above decision, as well as of all the other measures which have been announced.”

President Anastasiades also pointed out that “concerns expressed are absolutely understandable but are not justified since everything – and I wish to repeat this emphatically – depends on the epidemiological conditions of the time and always on the basis of the scientific team’s advice.”

“I wish to emphatically stress that both the government and myself personally, will not allow for everything achieved through timely decisions, your sacrifice and the spirit of unity which prevailed, to be destroyed,” he underlined.

He also stressed that “safeguarding the health, life and prosperity of citizens was and continues to be our priority.”

The government, he concluded, “will never be part of taking steps backwards.”