TCC Press Review 18 Mar 2020

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

Quarantine reaction

14 new cases in the north, three in the south. 14 new coronavirus cases were confirmed in the north yesterday (Tuesday) One in the morning and 13 others later at night. The total figure in the north has reached 20. Health Minister announced that 13 out of 39 German tourist group had tested positive.

  • The return home – The government and student organisations stepped up their efforts to bring back Turkish Cypriots studying in Europe, particularly the UK to the island. Finance Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu told Yenidüzen said they had reached an agreement with Malpas Hotel in Çatalköy (Agios Epiktitos) to accommodate the 180 students for a month. Amcaoğlu said they were expecting more than 300 students to return. “We need more hotels. We are currently continuing to meet with two other hotels,” he said.
  • Elections are being postponed for six months
  • Finance Minister Amcaoğlu: “We shall be sharing what is left at the end of the month”
  • Turkey first excluded but later corrected – A decision to quarantine Turkish Cypriots arriving from 72 different countries first didn’t include Turkey but was later corrected. All arrivals including Turkish nationals (with legal permits) will be placed in a state observation facility for 14 days.

Kıbrıs Postası

Ceased print/Online only

Kıbrıs

Rushing to return home

Given the adopted measures, both tourists and university students have started to depart the island while many Turkish and Greek Cypriots studying abroad are trying to return to Cyprus. 6000 people have departed the north in three days. 38 planes took off from Ercan (Tymbou) airport. Anyone arriving in the north will be subjected to a 14-day quarantine in line with the latest measure adopted by the cabinet.

  • The number of cases increased to 20 in the north and 49 in the south.
  • Presidential elections to be postponed for six months – The parliament to convene tomorrow (Thursday). The coalition parties and the opposition parties met at the presidency on Tuesday at a meeting chaired by President Mustafa Akıncı. They reached a consensus to postpone the April elections for six months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • People continue to ignore calls – Despite the authorities’ repeated calls to the public “not to go out”, people continue to roam about the streets of Nicosia. While traffic drops by the day, Kıbrıs’ reporter photographed people in groups of three and four near the Kyrenia gate area in north Nicosia.

Havadis

“I will unconditionally accept my fate”

A video posted on social media showing two Turkish Cypriots being taken off a bus taking passengers to a quarantine facility by police in Istanbul caused outrage. They had travelled from France. Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said: “The blatant negligence is unacceptable. No one can be given any privileges.” He added those responsible will be identified and the necessary action will be taken. Turkish Justice Minister Abdülhamit Gül said, “it is unacceptable to grant any exceptions to anyone” and promised legal action against those responsible. One of the Turkish Cypriots is the daughter of Mustafa Sofi, Director of the Civil Aviation Department in the north. Speaking to Havadis about the issue, Sofi said: “I can’t act outside of the known procedure. If there is anything wrong, I will unconditionally accept my fate.”

  • The world is concerned about the virus, whereas the TRNC is worried about salaries – Labour and Social Security Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu implied a possible delay in the salary payments for the public sector. Finance Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu spoke to Havadis about the issue.
  • Stranded students waiting for a plane – Efforts are underway to bring Turkish Cypriot students in the UK to the country via Turkey. Mehmet Göksu, General Secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Students’ Federation in the UK, said the students upon arrival will be taken from Ercan (Tymbou) to a quarantined hotel. There are more than 150 students, Göksu added.
  • The number of confirmed cases in the north are multiplying – With the latest 13 cases, the total number of cases in the north reached 20.

Diyalog

‘Corona’ package on the way

The government is planning to pay 113,000 private-sector workers and 38,000 public servants on the same day and the same ratio. The Minister of Labour and Social Security Faiz Sucuoğlu said that there might be delays or cuts in the salaries of public servants due to the coronavirus crisis. He also said that they could be paying each TRNC citizen private sector employees 75-80 per cent of the minimum wage. Finance Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu in a statement to Diyalog, said, “I don’t know what our labour minister said but we are planning to pay 130,000 private-sector employees and 38,000 public servants on the same day and the same ratio.” Amcaoğlu also said that an “Economic Measures Package” will be announced by Friday the latest.

  • Parliament to have the final say – Agreement reached to postpone presidential elections for six months.
  • The list announced – TRNC citizens arriving from 72 countries will be kept in isolation in state-controlled observation facilities for a period of 14-days. 
  • The rise in cases alarming – Number of cases in Turkey rises to 98. First coronavirus death takes place.

Afrika

No quarantine for the guarantor

The TRNC which shut its doors to 72 countries left the door open for Turkey. The first coronavirus death in Turkey was announced and figures have been steadily increasing. Figures have reached a hundred. Nine of 15 passengers travelling from Turkey to Taiwan tested positive for the virus. Despite all these developments, the TRNC is still not shutting its doors to Turkey. Dangerous days await Turkish Cypriots. Those arriving from Turkey will be exempt from the 14-day isolation requirement for arrivals from other countries.

  • Gone up to 26 – Coronavirus cases in the TRNC finally surge as a result of the lack of measures. Tests carried out on 20 members of a German tourist group at the (north) Famagusta State Hospital came back positive. The Health Minister Ali Pilli had announced last night (Tuesday) that the total number of confirmed cases had reached 20 with the 13 new cases. Following the initial announcement, we learned that the figure was not 13 but 19. However, no new statement has been issued by Pilli.
  • Dr Sıla Usar: You’ve made a mess of things – Usar: You failed to create the proper quarantine conditions at the hotel where the tourists and hotel staff are staying. You failed to start the quarantine procedures for Turkish Cypriot students arriving from abroad. You’ve made a mess of everything.
  • There you have it, favouritism even in quarantine – A bus carrying passengers who arrived in Turkey from Paris to a quarantine facility was stopped by police in Istanbul. The daughter of the Turkish Cypriot Civil Aviation Department who was on board the bus got off the bus heading to the facility. The girl was placed in another car as the other passengers onboard the bus reacted. The incident which was filmed on a mobile phone was then uploaded onto social media. Many Twitter users expressed outrage.
  • Presidential election postponed for six months – An agreement was reached at the meeting at the presidential palace to launch legal work to grant parliament to postpone the elections for six months.
  • Malpas Hotel to be turned into a quarantine facility – It has been learned that Malpas Hotel will be turned into a quarantine facility following a statement by Prime Minister Ersin Tatar that Turkish Cypriot students arriving from abroad will be placed in a quarantined hotel.
  • Figures rising in the south…three new cases confirmed

Main News

Coronavirus figures surge in the north

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security

OVERVIEW

The number of coronavirus cases in the north has risen to 20 after 14 more German tourists tested Turkish Cypriot Health Minister Ali Pilli announced the news late on Tuesday, only a day after Turkish Cypriot authorities reassured the public that the measures in place were working.

One German tourist had tested positive earlier in the day.

The 13 others, announced late Tuesday night were found positive after retesting, having previously been found negative.

They were part of the same group of 39 who had contact with the initial patient, a 65-year-old woman.

The tourists had been quarantined in a hotel since she tested positive last week.

Out of the 20 cases in the north so far, 18 are German and two are Turkish Cypriot.

Pilli on Tuesday said the north currently had a total of 58 respiratory machines, 16 of which had been allocated for coronavirus patients.

He warned that they might experience a shortage if there is a significant rise in numbers but added that none of the patients so far had required them.

“There are currently 20 respiratory devices not in use. Each cost around $20,000,” Pilli added.

The Turkish Cypriot cabinet on Tuesday also announced a new measure for Turkish Cypriots planning to travel to the north.

The measure, which was later updated to include all countries, states that all TRNC citizens arriving in the north will have to remain in 14-days of isolation in observation centres determined by the state in accordance with the Infectious Diseases Law.

Özersay who announced the measures late Tuesday night said that legal action will be taken against those who do not comply with the decision.

Turkey was initially not included in the list of 72 countries from which Turkish Cypriots arriving from would be required to stay in isolation for 14-days.

The government shortly afterwards revised the measures following an outburst of reactions on social media.

Perhaps one of the most significant developments of the day was the agreement reached between President Mustafa Akıncı, the government and the political parties in the Turkish Cypriot parliament to postpone the April 2020 presidential elections.

A consensus had been reached between the political parties earlier on Monday and the issue was discussed in further detail at a meeting held at Akıncı’s office on Tuesday.

Announcing the agreement, Speaker of the Turkish Cypriot parliament Teberrüken Uluçay said work would start immediately to prepare the necessary legislation that would enable parliament to approve the postponement of the elections.

He said that parliament would be convened in the coming days to produce the decision.

Uluçay also highlighted that the decision to postpone the elections for six months is based on the assumption that the adopted measures will give the desired outcomes and the spread of the coronavirus could be stopped.

He added that the elections could be postponed with the approval of MPs.

Later in the evening, Akıncı posted a video message on social media renewing an earlier warning of the possible consequences of failing to act swiftly against the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our priority is the public’s health thus we have reached a consensus to postpone the April elections for six months,” he said, referring to the meeting held earlier in the day.

Akıncı said if the authorities fail to adopt the necessary measures on time, the price the community will have to pay would be far greater.

“I do not intend to reignite the debate on declaring a state-of-emergency but I wish to remind the government holds the power to at least implement a curfew,” he said.

Akıncı’s remarks came as a rumour circulated within the Turkish Cypriot community that the authorities were preparing to declare a state-of-emergency, only to be quashed by Özersay with a post on social media later in the evening.

Özersay said the adopted measures would continue as they are and the rumours regarding the declaration of a state-of-emergency were nothing more than hearsay. 

Meanwhile, it was reported on Tuesday that Turkish Cypriot authorities had launched an initiative with the United Nations (UN) to ensure the delivery of medications from the south which Turkish Cypriots in the north have been receiving as part of their treatment as well as allowing Turkish Cypriots receiving ongoing treatment in the south to pass through the crossing points.

In a statement issued, the Turkish Cypriot foreign ministry said the Turkish Cypriots who receive treatment in the south will be able to cross to the south with a valid document such as a medical certificate or a proof of appointment through the open and operational crossing points.

Regarding medication received from the south, the ministry urged people to send their prescriptions to the ministry to allow them to collect their medication from the Turkish Cypriot Red Crescent Association on time.

In another development, Yenidüzen reported on Tuesday that no restrictions were to be introduced for the Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of Pile (Pyla) when entering the mixed village of Pile (Pyla) from Beyarmudu (Pergamos).

According to an earlier report, those entering the village from the north would have either had to present a health certificate or been quarantined for 14 days.

Speaking to Yenidüzen, the Turkish Cypriot Mukhtar of Pile (Pyla) Veysal Güden said that the restrictions introduced earlier by British Sovereign Bases (SBA) authorities were lifted following an initiative launched by Turkish Cypriot authorities.

He said that the Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of the village had not experienced any problems with the SBA authorities to this day and were exempt from any measures when crossing north.

Güden added that the restrictions were expected, given that two SBA personnel had tested positive for coronavirus.

He said the villagers had been instructed to acquire the necessary documents.

Güden also said that they were constantly in contact with the Turkish Cypriot foreign ministry and Akıncı’s office.

Meanwhile, Turkey announced on Tuesday that it was donating medical supplies and equipment to the north to assist in the fight against the spread of the virus.

The news was given by Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay, also in charge of affairs related to North Cyprus, who told the Demirören News Agency (DHA) that an agreement had been signed between Turkish and Turkish Cypriot officials on March 11.

He said the first shipment of supplies had been delivered on Friday, March 13.

Oktay also said that health officials from the north and Turkey were in constant communication and that Ankara was ready to extend any support Turkish Cypriot authorities might require in containing the spread of the virus.

He added that despite an export ban in place, Turkey continued to supply medical and pharmaceutical depots in the north with medicines.

“As always, the Republic of Turkey continues to be by the side of our Turkish Cypriot brethren. Their health is among our top priorities,” Oktay said.

Despite Ankara’s message of support, the government on Monday continued its efforts to deal with the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar, at a meeting with representatives of economic organisations, announced they were arranging to repatriate Turkish Cypriot students studying in the UK with charter flights to Ercan (Tymbou) airport.

He said the plan was for the students to arrive on the island on Friday.

Upon their arrival, they will be put in a hotel for a 14-day quarantine.

Speaking on behalf of the economic organisations’ platform, Dimağ Çağıner, head of the Turkish Cypriot Hoteliers’ Association, said the economic organisations were supporting the government’s decisions and measures.

“The TRNC is a step ahead from the other countries in terms of adopting measures against the pandemic. We believe we will be able to prevent the spread of the virus through the strict measures in place,” Çağıner said.

Çağıner also urged everyone to adhere to the measures adopted and avoid going out unless it was necessary.

Tatar for his part said that the crisis will no doubt have serious economic consequences.

“We shall be evaluating the financial and economic picture in the coming days. Everyone must act together and to draw a road map forward,” he said.

Finance Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu on Tuesday slammed reports that the government was planning to cut public servant salaries in an attempt to cover the economic cost of the crisis.

A debate ensued on the issue after Turkish Cypriot Labour and Social Security Faiz Sucuoğlu told reporters earlier on Tuesday that cuts could be made on public servant salaries or salaries could be paid late due to the crisis.

“The government’s priority is to take steps which will ensure the public’s health. Now is not the time to start or engage in a debate on salary cuts,” Amcaoğlu said.

He explained that the government had ordered 50 respiratory machines at a total cost of $1m which had taken an important chunk out of the state’s budget.

“My concern is getting all our students studying abroad back here in one piece and to keep them isolated. My concern is ensuring that the tourists are sent back to their countries. All payments have been made. My concern and priority are to ensure that the hospitals have all the means to deal with this crisis,” he said.

Amcaoğlu said that the state will distribute whatever money it has left at the end of the month.

“If we are going to cut salaries, we’re going to cut everyone’s salaries. But, now is not the time to discuss this issue. We are in a situation where everyone has mobilized for public health,” he added.

In the meantime, families of Turkish Cypriots students studying in the UK who arrived in South Cyprus on Monday and were placed under quarantine in Troodos rejoiced by the news on Tuesday that efforts were underway to bring their children to the north.

In a post on social media, the head of the Turkish Cypriot Youth Association in London consultations are underway through the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health concerning some Turkish Cypriots who were on the flights that arrived on Monday evening at Larnaca and Paphos airports after the 6 pm health certificate deadline for entry, and who were taken along with the rest of the passengers for a 14-day quarantine in Troodos.

Horozoğlu said there was one Turkish Cypriot student, who had arrived through Paphos airport but the Greek Cypriot authorities had also informed them about other Turkish Cypriots, who had arrived through Larnaca airport.

He said the student they were in contact with was doing well.

“His family naturally is a little sad,” Horozoğlu added.

Turkish Cypriot Finance Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu told Yenidüzen on Tuesday they had reached an agreement with Malpas Hotel in Çatalköy (Agios Epiktitos) to accommodate the 180 students arriving from the UK for a month.

Amcaoğlu added they were expecting more than 300 students to return. “We need more hotels. We are currently continuing to meet with two other hotels,” he said.

Mehmet Göksu, General Secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Students’ Federation in the UK on Tuesday said the students upon arrival will be taken from Ercan (Tymbou) to a quarantined hotel.

There are more than 150 students, Göksu added.


Translate »