Health Minister confirms end to outdoor mask-wearing

The government will lift its requirement of mask-wearing outdoors from Saturday, the health minister said on Wednesday, as Covid-19 infections are trending lower.

The advisory committee of infectious disease experts recommended the lifting and the government accepted the recommendation, Health Minister Thanos Plevris said.

“But it is highly recommended to wear masks outdoors when there is a lot of crowding,” he said.

The move comes after the lifting of curbs that barred standing customers at bars and night entertainment establishments earlier this month and the resumption of school excursions.

Health authorities reported 15,557 Covid-19 cases on Wednesday and 57 related deaths, bringing the country’s total number of infections since the first case was detected two years ago to 2.454 million and deaths to 25,972. 

The ending of the requirement to wear masks ourdoors will take place on Saturday, according to the health experts committee proposal.

The details will be published in a new government ministerial decision. The new measures will also reportedly allow the formal return of public transport to full pre-pandemic capacity. [Reuters, AMNA]