Kon: We're asking for a 10-day lockdown and only these places to be open, and 24-hour Covid passes

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The session of the Crisis HQ will be held today at 3:30 pm. Epidemiologist from the City Institute for Public Health of Belgrade and member of the Crisis HQ Dr. Predrag Kon has told RTS that he is convinced that the decision to extend the school break will be made, but points out that it would have more effect if the Covid pass requirement was extended to around the clock, and if there was a 10-day lockdown.

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"We insist on that, because that is the only way to see a serious drop in the number of new cases," says Kon.

Predrag Kon has said that the medical part of the Crisis HQ insists that the decision to extend the school break, that they agree with, should be made at the same time as the restriction in terms of reducing contacts outside of schools.

"We have determined that the virus primarily flows into schools, it also goes back, but it is necessary then to reduce the frequency of contacts outside the school," says Kon.

"That is what we have been asking for from the beginning - 10 days of closure in the sense of shortening opening hours and that the only places that should be open are those selling food, medicines and fuel, and that should go in parallel with the school break," he added.

He believes that now is the right time for that, as well as that the absolute minimum is to introduce Covid passes 24 hours a day.

"As we said earlier, this should happen after ten days of closure to ensure that it is fully controlled," Kon said.

He pointed out that requiring Covid passes after 10 pm is now well-established, and that thinking of switching to 24 hours is completely logical.

"That is what I expect to be seriously discussed today, because we cannot expect serious results if we do not close both ends," says Kon.

He stressed that extending the school break should go with the 10-day closure and that he does not know whether that suggestion will be adopted, but that the medical part of the Crisis HQ will ask for it.

"We insist on that, because that is the only way to see a serious drop in the number of new cases after those ten days. At this moment, the measure of closing schools may give some results, but it will be far less efficient and visible without all the measures together," explained Kon.

If the break is extended but limited working hours are not introduced, it will lead to numerous trips.

"It is clear, but people making many trips with a possible 24-hour Covid pass is one story, and the other is without it. Secondly, all this time that is gained during those ten days will not have any serious effect, except for that drop, which is significant if we do not increase vaccination," Kon stressed.

He said that he is almost completely convinced about the school break and that there is no doubt that a decision on that will be made.

"Regarding these decisions concerning the 24-hour passes and the possible reduction of working hours for 10 days - there is unity in the medical part of the Crisis HQ, even beyond that, there is agreement from the Ministry of Health, we will see at the meeting how it will be discussed," said Kon.

(Telegraf.rs)