Republic of Cyprus Second Voluntary National Report - Sustainable development goals

17 6. COVID-19: IMPACTS ON SDGs AND ACTIONS TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC The Covid -19 pandemic led to the greatest peacetime economic disruption in living memory and caused temporarily a serious setback in sustainable development. This contagious disease has spread worldwide, leading to an ongoing pandemic. The virus has caused millions of deaths, and has also brought unprecedented challenges and changes to everyday life and general well-being. Countries worldwide were forced to adopt strict measures, including nationwide lockdowns, which brought about social and economic disruptions, affecting individuals, businesses, and whole countries. In Cyprus, the first confirmed cases of Covid-19 appeared in March 2020. The Cyprus Government promptly enforced a series of measures to contain its spread, including a strict lockdown and travel restrictions, which lasted until May 2020. During the pandemic, the Government imposed different levels and types of restrictions, always taking into account the epidemiological picture and readjusting the measures accordingly. Thus, up until now, three lockdowns have been enforced, social distancing measures have been adopted and specific guidelines have been issued. The National Vaccination Programme of Cyprus, which started in December 2020, is currently underway having partially vaccinated about 47% of the population with at least one vaccine. Initially, priority was given to those belonging in vulnerable groups (e.g. elderly, health care professionals) but by May people as young as twenty years old have been offered the chance. The main goal of the vaccination programme is to fully vaccinate over 40% of the population by the end of the first half of 2021. The fact that by the middle of May 2021 a total number 412,768 vaccinations were administered, i.e 46.9 doses per 100 inhabitants, places Cyprus in 3rd position among the EU member states. COVID-19 IN NUMBERS: THE CYPRUS CASE As of May 3 rd 2021, the country has recorded 66,911 cases and 321 deaths. Among EU member states, Cyprus is 15th in total cases per million people, but having successfully treated most contaminated people, managed to have a very low death rate, thus ranking 2 nd in total deaths per million people. Additionally, Cyprus is the 2 nd country in total tests performed per thousand people. The country’s decision to promote a wide programme of free rapid tests in conjunction with an extensive tracing of contacts programme led to the successful management of the disease with a very low death toll. BASIC COVID STATISTICS-CYPRUS COMPARED TO THE EU As of Cyprus EU Average CY Rank EU27 Total Cases (per million) 03-05-2021 76,391.23 69,605.88 15 Total Deaths (per million) 03-05-2021 366.48 1,557.56 2 Total Tests (per thousand) 30-04-2021 5,968.35 1,512.15 2 People Vaccinated (%) 23-04-2021 20.10 21.08 15 People Fully Vaccinated (%) 23-04-2021 6.87 7.72 20