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What about the other patients?
The heads of different departments at the Kolan Hospital which has been treating patients after the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital was converted into a pandemic hospital spoke to Yenidüzen. They all expressed concern that they will be experiencing problems as the process drags on.
- Professor for Molecular Genetics and Genetic Illnesses Dr Erol Baysak: “The number of tests conducted is insufficient. PCR test a must for those showing symptoms and those who have been in contact with positive cases”
- CTP (Republican Turkish Party) leader Tufan Erhürman: “We need a single scientific council and a single crisis centre”
- 2000 units of Chloroquine arriving – 91.7 per cent of patients in France who were treated with Chloroquine have recovered. Patients using the medicine recovered in ten days. The two leaders talked on the phone. Chloroquine which is being produced in the south and used in the treatment of Covid-19 will be delivered to the north next week.
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Two municipalities in Karpaz (Karpasia) enraged
Mayor of Yenierenköy (Yialousa) Emrah Yeşilırmak said there is no coordination between the government and the local administration regarding the coronavirus pandemic. Mayor of Mehmetçik (Galatia) Cemil Sarıçizmeli filed an official complaint with the police against the Health Ministry, Ministry Undersecretary and the Department of Basic Health Services for failing to adhere to quarantine rules and procedures. Sarıçizmeli was outraged after an 83-year-old woman upon arrival at the Ercan (Tymbou) airport was taken directly to her home in Kumyalı (Koma tou Gialou) for isolation instead of placed in central quarantine with the other passengers.
- “The health ministry is given the authority to allow home quarantine” – Deputy Prime Minister Kudret Özersay said the Health Ministry can allow individuals with exceptional conditions to be isolated at home. “There is nothing secret about this procedure as it was announced in an earlier cabinet decision,” Özersay said.
- Protective gear and medicine will be delivered to the north from the south – President Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades spoke on the phone on Saturday. Additionally, Anastasiades has agreed to send 2000 units of Chloroquine and protective gear to the Turkish Cypriot side next week.
- It is not yet known how the Riverside personnel was infected with the virus – Everyone panicked following the news of two Riverside hotel personnel testing positive for coronavirus after the students in quarantine were sent home.
- Municipal police urge people to stay home – Municipal wardens are among those working during these difficult days. Despite risks of the virus, the municipal wardens continue with their health inspections daily.
- No new cases in the north – One patient discharged following recovery.
The cabinet limps along
The opposition parties with seats in parliament evaluated the cabinet’s decisions and measures adopted in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. Republican Turkish Party (CTP) General Secretary Erdoğan Sorakın said: the cabinet is taking contradicting decisions. Converting the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu hospital into a pandemic hospital is not right. The cabinet did not take any measures to help the economy. Social Democratic Party (TDP) leader Cemal Özyiğit said: “I am observing the contradictory statements and the hesitation on converting the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu hospital into a pandemic hospital in awe.” He added the cabinet should give one voice and must stand behind its decisions. Democratic Party (DP) leader Fikri Ataoğlu said: “The cabinet should take the views of the opposition parties and the NGOs into consideration but the cabinet has disregarded all.” Rebirth Party (YDP) leader Erhan Arıklı said: “We were hoping more serious decisions after the establishment of the science board but the cabinet even implemented decisions contrary to the recommendations of the science board.”
- Assistance for the common enemy – The two leaders have agreed on continuing their contact regarding the pandemic and agreed to strengthen the role of the bicommunal Committee for Health. 2000 units of Chloroquine, which is used against coronavirus, together with protective gowns will be sent by the Greek Cypriot side next week.
‘Equal pay on the agenda’
(Deputy Prime Minister) Özersay who drew attention to Finance Minister Amcaoğlu’s statement that the money collected will be shared said that salaries could be readjusted. He said that if need by everyone will be receiving the same salary. Özersay also said that the decision to reopen businesses will depend on the rate of which the virus spreads. He added that even if businesses are to open, they will not operate as they used to. “They will be subject to a set of rules,” he said.
- ‘Legal measure’ for the economic crisis – Greek Cypriot Supreme Court upheld 2012 ruling on public sector salary cuts, stating it was constitutional.
- Good news from Pilli –158 tests was carried in North Cyprus, no positive cases.
- 811 tests carried out –The total number of cases in South Cyprus rose to 616 with 21 new cases.
- Loss of life reaches 1101 – The total number of cases in Turkey reaches 52,167 with 5138 new cases reported yesterday (Saturday).
He caused people to rush out onto the streets
Look at what (Turkish President) Tayyip Erdoğan, who had said ‘no pandemic is greater than Turkey,’ did! As part of the measures against coronavirus, a curfew was announced for the weekend in 30 metropolitan cities and Zonguldak. The decision was announced only two hours before its implementation, which resulted in long queues outside supermarkets and a stampede.
- Medical aid from the south to the north – Akıncı and Anastasiades held a telephone conversation. 2000 units of Chloroquine, which is used against coronavirus, together with protective gowns will be sent by the Greek Cypriot side next week.
- There can only be one crisis desk – Dr Bülent Dizdarlı urged the political leaders to get their act together.
- 21 new cases in the south and one death – 158 tests in the north and all came back negative.
- Finally, the ferry services stopped – The cabinet decided to stop the ferry services until midnight on 27 April.
Main News
Leaders speak on phone, medicines to be sent to the north
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
“The Greek Cypriot side will be sending the Turkish Cypriot side two thousand units of Chloroquine, which is manufactured in the south side, together with protective gowns,” President Mustafa Akıncı’s office announced on Saturday.
The agreement was reached during a telephone conversation between Akıncı and the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.
During their telephone conversation, the two leaders assessed their respective situations and expressed their concerns over the spread of the coronavirus on the island, a written statement read.
In addition to agreeing to maintain regular contact on the coronavirus pandemic, the leaders also agreed to strengthen the role of the bicommunal Committee for Health, the statement said.
They also agreed to intensify the efforts to conclude the medical equipment and supply procurement process through the European Union funding.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriot Health Ministry announced on Saturday there were no new cases after testing 158 people on Saturday.
The ministry said that the total number of tests has reached 4048 and the total number of cases remained at 99.
In the meantime, Turkish Cypriot Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay on Saturday rejected allegations that certain repatriated individuals had been granted special treatment and were allowed to spend their 14-day mandatory quarantine at home, self-isolating.
“In exceptional cases, the health ministry has the authority to allow certain individuals to be self-isolate at home,” Özersay stressed in a written statement.
Responding to the claims of favours for two individuals in Kumyalı (Koma tou Gialou) and Hisarköy (Kampyli), Özersay recalled the cabinet’s decision on 18 March and reiterated health officials will decide on exceptional cases, particularly those with special conditions.
In a separate development on Saturday, Özersay announced that no United Nations personnel or those holding diplomatic papers will not be allowed to cross into the north for a week, as of Sunday.
The same applies to people of any other international organization, he added.
“Let us remember that a short while ago a member of the peace force in Cyprus was found to have coronavirus,” Ozersay said.
Medical and other supplies sent each week to the enclaved will not be affected but will be delivered by Turkish Cypriot officials under the supervision of one member of UNFICYP (United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus).
Also on Saturday, Dr Nesil Bayraktar, an expert in infectious and contagious diseases, said people in the north showed a tendency to hide their illness or their contacts thus making the fight against the virus all the more difficult.
Speaking during a programme on Bayrak on Saturday, Bayraktar noted the doctors have not been able to comprehend reasons as to why people felt the need to hide their illness.
“This is not caused by the virus itself but possibly because of peer-pressure,” Bayraktar said.
Regarding the treatment capabilities, Bayraktar said the pulmonology ward will be ready by Monday to be converted into an intensive care unit if the need arises.
She added there were 13 doctors and nurses assigned to that ward.
Bayraktar in response to ongoing debates about a pandemic hospital said it is not possible to have another pandemic hospital other than the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu hospital.
“The other hospitals are not adequately equipped and the Famagusta state hospital’s ICU ward is not suitable for dealing with a pandemic,” Bayraktar said, arguing that the main hospital in the northern part of Nicosia was the best option.”
She also rejected the rumours certain wards were not able to treat patients as a result of the conversion of the hospital to a pandemic facility.
In the meantime, the cabinet decision to extend the ban of entry through sea and airports have been shut for the exception of Turkish Cypriots and for their spouses and children to 30 April became official after being published in the official gazette.
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar, in a post on social media, also announced that the ferry services have ceased until 27 April.
He noted that the freight ships will continue delivering goods in line with the existing rules.
Tatar was referring to the cabinet decision dated 9 April. It was previously announced that the repatriation of Turkish Cypriots through chartered flights had been ceased until further notice and the plane that arrived at the Ercan (Tymbou) airport on Friday was the last one.
Opening of sectors will depend on experts’ recommendations
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, Economy
OVERVIEW
“The health ministry, science board and economy ministry will carry out a joint study to decide whether to open any of the sectors or not. It will all depend on the course of the pandemic,” Özersay said on Saturday.
Özersay also noted that even if any of the sectors were to resume work, it be subject to through certain procedures.
He gave the example of the tax department, whereby putting on surgical gloves and wearing face masks were mandatory. People entering were also screened for their temperature.
“The health ministry is currently working on a decree to be published on these procedures,” he said.
Referring to the endless criticisms on the cabinet’s economic relief package, Özersay pointed out this was a global crisis in which both the money and the labour movements had been blocked.
“This is not a crisis only specific to the north,” he noted.
Özersay added that the crisis was nothing like any before and it is only natural for the authorities to make mistakes in the decisions taken.
“Instead of being stubborn, it is only right to see what’s not working and to correct it. The administrations that can display the necessary flexibility are the ones that will survive,” Özersay said.
He added adjustments and amendments to the decisions adopted are not a discrepancy or contradiction but is an attempt to correct the mistakes and improve the decisions.
Özersay, giving the cabinet’s decision to extend the 15-day grace period for the cheque-clearance to 90 days had helped many people who did not have the financial power to make the payments.
Asked to comment on Turkish Cypriot Finance Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu’s earlier remarks on salaries, Özersay said that readjusting salaries so that everyone received the same pay could be considered if the state failed to collect revenues to pay salaries.
In another development, The Economic Associations’ Platform announced on Saturday announced that the platform will finance the construction of a new pandemic hospital.
The head of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) Turgay Deniz in a statement on behalf of the platform said the business community will restore, rebuild and refurbish a building in the north Nicosia expo area. He noted the construction could be concluded in ten days.
Deniz also noted that the chamber will submit its proposals to the authorities on the reopening of sectors and how it could be done.
“The business community has given up on any profits for the year 2020. Therefore the state should not expect any tax payments either,” Deniz said, adding the authorities must provide financial support to everyone including the casino and hotel workers as well.
He also said they were against the idea of pay cuts in the public sector.
“The business community needs the money paid to the public sector for the wheels of the economy to turn,” Turgay said, suggesting that the state should take out a loan rather than slashing public-sector salaries.
Leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Tufan Erhürman on Saturday said the government needs outside borrowing to overcome the economic crisis.
He added if the much-needed funds do not come or are delayed, the authorities should also seek to borrow internally.
“The more we delay the process, the more irreversible harm we will be inflicting on the public from the lowest income groups to the business community,” Erhürman warned.
He argued that austerity measures will eventually lead to the market in the north to shrink.
“A crisis centre on financial and economic matters must be established,” Erhürman said and urged the authorities to identify the points in which fund allocations should be made to and then look at the available resources.
“We can only manage the economic crisis that is likely to last longer than the coronavirus pandemic only if we have the correct data, and accurate calculations on what is needed and where to allocate the resources to,” Erhürman concluded.
Opposition blasts government’s handling of crisis
Havadis
Internal Security, Economy, Governance and Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The opposition parties with seats in the parliament evaluated the cabinet’s decisions and measures adopted in view of the Covid-19 pandemic for Havadis on Sunday.
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) General Secretary Erdoğan Sorakın, Social Democratic Party (TDP) leader Cemal Özyiğit, Democratic Party (DP) leader Fikri Ataoğlu and Rebirth Party (YDP) leader Erhan Arıklı evaluated the measures adopted and reached a consensus that “the cabinet limps along” in its governance and management of the coronavirus crisis.
Sorakın pointed to the cabinet’s contradictory statements and added converting the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu hospital into a pandemic hospital is not right. He also argued that the cabinet’s measures on the economy did not provide any relief to those in difficulty.
Sorakın urged the cabinet to look into options of borrowing money from abroad as well as taking loans internally to help the lower-income groups and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).
“I am observing the contradictory statements and the hesitation on converting the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu hospital into a pandemic hospital in awe,” Özyiğit said, adding that the cabinet should come out as one voice and must stand behind its decisions.
He added it has been one month since the first coronavirus case in the north and the cabinet has not decided on a pandemic hospital or how the other health services will be provided.
“The cabinet is far from seriousness and their contradicting statements create uncertainty on the issue. The people naturally lose their confidence in the cabinet as well,” Özyiğit concluded.
Ataoğlu, on the other hand, argued the cabinet disregards alternative opinions from the political parties and NGOs.
“The cabinet should take the viewpoints of the opposition parties and the NGOs into consideration but the cabinet has disregarded all.”
“We were hoping more serious decisions after the establishment of the science board but the cabinet implemented decisions contrary to the recommendations of the science board,” Arıklı said and added the YDP does not have any confidence in the cabinet.