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State of Emergency or this…
President Mustafa Akıncı proposed that a state of emergency be declared but did not receive the government’s support. “Having seen what the pandemic has done to the world, I propose that the TRNC locks down for 14 days. It seems that the Council of Ministers needs time to think,” he said. “The number of cases could go up as high as 22,600 by April 15 if measures are not taken. This means 1132 patients in intensive care,” Akıncı added. The Council of Ministers, on the other hand, took new measures at midnight. All public servants for the exception of essential services such as police, fire service, health, civil aviation, finance will be on administrative leave until March 27. The private sector, for the exception of supermarkets, pharmacies, bakeries and petrol stations will also be closed. All entry into the country, for the exception of TRNC citizens, will be barred until April 1. All public gatherings will be banned and the Famagusta State hospital will be used as a quarantine hospital.
- First Turkish Cypriot case. The number of cases went up from 12 to 26 in a day – The coronavirus (Covid-19) which spread rapidly around the world in three months killing more than 5000 people has also gripped the island. The number of cases rose from 12 to 26 in one day. Three more cases tested positive in the north raising the number of confirmed cases in the north to five. While two of the infected patients are German nationals, the third is a TRNC citizen who arrived on the island from the UK nine days ago.
- Erhürman: We could restrict people from the streets without having to declare a state of emergency – Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman said that there was a law which would allow the government to keep the public from going out without having to declare a state of emergency. He called on the government and the president to work on reaching a consensus.
No state of emergency but this
President Mustafa Akıncı who chaired the council of ministers meeting called for more radical measures to be implemented. He also suggested the government declares a state of emergency (OHAL) in line with Article 124 of the constitution. When the government did not welcome the idea, Akıncı abandoned the meeting after 15 minutes before standing before the media to criticize the government. Four hours later, the cabinet announced a stricter and radical list of measures without declaring a state of emergency. It is also announced the government will review whether to implement a curfew or not within 48 hours.
- Coronavirus positive cases in the TRNC rises to five – Two members of the German tour group and one TRNC citizen, who arrived on the island nine days ago, tested positive for coronavirus.
- 21 cases in the south – The Greek Cypriot health ministry announced seven individuals tested positive for coronavirus. The Greek Cypriot side broadened the measures implemented. Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades announced the measures including limitations on all crossing points.
Break due to Coronavirus
Because of the measures implemented against the spread of coronavirus, both the private and the public sector will be closed until 27 March. The government has urges the public not to leave their homes unless necessary. In addition to the set of new measures, the cabinet said they will evaluate implementing a curfew within 48 hours.
Those who came to disinfect the hotel wanted us to give them the disinfectant
Ali Erdura, manager of Port View Hotel in Famagusta, which is under quarantine with 99 guests and 20 personnel, said the health ministry had sent personnel to disinfect the hotel following Havadis’s report on the hotel. He added that the crew asked the hotel to provide the disinfectant.
- Akıncı proposed a state of emergency, Tatar said ‘early’ – President Mustafa Akıncı dedicated his entire day to the fight against the spread of coronavirus. He spoke with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades over the phone; called the political party leaders for a meeting and chaired the council of ministers’ meeting.
- Five in the North and 21 in the South – Cases of coronavirus continue to rise both in the south and in the north. Three new cases in the north and 11 new ones in the south confirmed.
- 86 per cent demand State of emergency now! – Havadis polled on social media immediately after President Akıncı’s proposal to declare a state of emergency and asked people whether the state should implement a state of emergency or not. Ten thousand people participated in the poll.
Everyone to stay at home
The entry of all foreigners, including Turkish citizens in the country has been banned. Public offices and private sector businesses have been closed until March 27. Akıncı’s proposal for declaring a state of emergency wasn’t accepted. A series of new measures were announced by the government late last night (Friday).
- Room confinement – The 724 tourists, mainly German nationals, at the Salamis Bay Conti Hotel are being kept in quarantine until March 24.
21 cases in the South, five in the north
The coronavirus has taken a hold of Cyprus like an octopus. News received by our paper at the last minute reported that seven new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in the south. According to the Republic of Cyprus’s (RoC) Health Ministry, the seven persons who contracted the virus had come into close contact with five infected people. The Greek Cypriot administration shut its doors to the world for everyone except Cypriots.
- Declaration of a state of emergency – Akıncı who presided over last night’s (Friday) cabinet meeting proposed that the government declare a state of emergency but the government did not approve his suggestion.
Main News
Both sides impose stricter measures against Covid-19 as cases rise
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
All six dailies on Saturday reported extensively on the latest measures aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus as well as related developments.
Only Turkish Cypriots and ‘legal residents’ will be allowed into the TRNC by land, air or sea until April 1, the Turkish Cypriot cabinet announced late Friday night following a second emergency meeting convened the same day.
The move, effective from Saturday, essentially shut the crossings down completely to all foreigners, including Turkish nationals and Greek Cypriots.
The Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades, in an address to the nation earlier on Friday night, announced crossings would be open only to members of the two communities and the diplomatic corps.
No restrictions were placed on Turkish Cypriots.
Those Turkish Cypriots who do arrive in the north by land, sea or air, will be asked to isolate themselves for 14 days.
The latest measures in the north were announced as part of seven steps the cabinet took at a meeting presided by President Mustafa Akıncı and which went on late into the night.
Other measures include the shutting down of all ‘public service’ except for essential services such as police, fire, hospitals etc.
In the private sector, again only essential services such as petrol stations, bakeries, supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open.
Both of these measures will remain in force until March 27.
The government also said that it would reassess the situation 48 hours later as to whether or not a state of emergency/curfew was necessary.
Earlier in the evening, Akıncı said his appeal to declare a state of emergency to prevent an uncontrolled situation as regards the coronavirus crisis, was not received the support of the government.
He had left the meeting before it was finished and before the announcement.
The announcement came as three more people tested positive to Covid-19 in the north bringing the total so far to five; four German tourists and one TRNC citizen who arrived from the UK nine days ago.
Speaking to reporters after leaving the extraordinary meeting, Akıncı said he called for a state of emergency by evoking article 124 of the Constitution but that he was told by the government they were not prepared for such a thing.
“I was told that the government is not ready for such a thing and that they needed time to think of it,” he said.
Akıncı added that the cabinet would convene again on Sunday to re-evaluate the idea.
Prior to the meeting on Friday evening, Akıncı said it was important to take necessary measures before it was too late.
He said that if a developed country such as Italy is in the situation it is now, “we must take precautions before it’s too late.”
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman in a post on social media expressed the view said a law which would allow the government issue a public order to keep people from going out without having to declare a state of emergency existed.
Erhürman urged the government to consider initiating such a public order
He called on the government and the president to work on reaching a consensus.
Meanwhile,the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus continued to rise on Friday, with five cases in the north, Turkish Cypriot health authorities confirmed on Friday.
The three new cases were confirmed on Friday, two German nationals who were part of the tour-group in which the first case was detected, and a Turkish Cypriot who had recently returned to the island from the UK.
Earlier on Friday Akıncı discussed with Anastasiades over the phone the latest situation regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
According to a statement issued by Akıncı’s office, the two leaders agreed to instruct the members of the bicommunal Technical Committee members to intensify their collaboration.
“It was also agreed that the leaders will also urge their respective communities not to use the crossing points unless it is necessary,” the statement read.
The statement added that the Greek Cypriot authorities will also be passing on information regarding Turkish Cypriot passengers arriving in the south from abroad so that Turkish Cypriot officials can ensure that they are placed in self-isolation upon their arrival in the north.
In a separate statement issued earlier on Friday, Akıncı had said the decision to close schools until March 22 should be extended to include places of worship and entertainment venues.
Akıncı also expressed the view that steps to reduce the number of staff at public and private establishments would help prevent the spread of the virus.
The cabinet in the north announced on Friday morning additional measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The measures were mainly designed to smoothen daily operations at state institutions and provide clarifications on earlier ones.
Announcing the new measures, Turkish Cypriot Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Kudret Özersay said that they were aimed at ensuring the safety of the public.
Özersay noted that the health ministry will establish a call-centre/hotline that will be operational 24/7.
He also quashed rumours of the possibility of implementing a curfew as a result of the pandemic.
Erhürman on Friday said the bicommunal health committee’s scope should be broadened and the committee to operate as a crisis centre.
Writing on social media, Erhürman pointed to the increasing number of cases on the island.
“We are on the same island and fighting against the same problem. We need to be able to establish a system in which we will share information, data and even medical equipment,” Erhürman stressed.
He stressed that the joint struggle against the pandemic should not be a victim to debates on political positions of the two sides.
In the meantime, Turkish Cypriot doctors highlighted the need to set up a quarantine hospital without further delay.
Dr Özlem Gürkut, who read out a joint statement issued by the Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Union, the Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Association, the Chamber of Turkish Cypriot Doctors and the Chamber of Turkish Cypriot Dentists, said the organisations were concerned about a Turkish Cypriot individual testing positive for the coronavirus compared to the previous ‘imported’ cases.
“As of today, we need new measures and provisions to be implemented. The authorities must only allow TRNC citizens and those residing in the north on work-permits to enter from all air and seaports provided that they will be monitored for 14-days,” Gürkut said.
Gürkut said they expect to see legal measures in place to limit people going out on the streets, and to impose restrictions on private and the public sector.
Gürkut, asking for stricter measures to be implemented, urged the community to acknowledge and understand the severity of the matter.
“If we fail to stop the pandemic, the medical infrastructure will not be able to cope with the number of patients…We can successfully overcome the coronavirus pandemic, if only the state, members of the nation and the health professionals collaborate and work as one,” Gürkut concluded.
In a separate statement, CTP also urged for the establishment of additional quarantine centres in the north on Friday.
Issuing a written statement, the CTP asked for the health ministry to take the lead and coordinate the efforts against the coronavirus pandemic among the state institutions.
The party also urged everyone to adhere to warnings and guidance on Covid-19.