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Pandemic Hospital puzzle
The constant changes concerning the ‘Pandemic Hospital’ for treatment of Covid-19 patients had caused mistrust in the community. The Council of Ministers had initially decided to convert the Famagusta State Hospital for this purpose only to change its idea later on to the Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Nicosia. Now the cabinet has announced that a new hospital will be built in Nicosia in 45 days. The project’s 3D drawings were revealed to the public. Leading doctors say they don’t believe that a pandemic hospital can be constructed in 45 days. All share the idea that Covid-19 patients should be treated elsewhere at the Burhan Nalbantoğlu should be reinstated as the central hospital.
- 33 cases in the south, no new cases in the north
- Tufan Erhürman: “We want to hear what the Science Board has to say.
Ceased print/Online only
He could not sell his lettuce
Vegetable growers from Yeşilırmak (Limnitis) and Yedidalga (Potamos tou kambou) are complaining about not being able to sell their produce due to the coronavirus pandemic. The tomato, lettuce, cabbage and banana growers are in severe difficulty for not being able to sell their crops either. They also do not know what to do and asked the authorities to find a solution to their problem.
- İŞAD: The shelf-prices will sky-rocket because the cabinet decided to increase customs revenues – Turkish Cypriot Businesspersons’ Association (İŞAD) said the cabinet has imposed 400 per cent customs tax on imported dairy products to increase the customs department’s revenues. The Association argues the increase in taxes will be reflected on the shelf prices of these products.
- Sale volume dropped by 70 per cent – Petrol station owners association announced and added they might end up lowering the number of workers.
Dangerous game
Dr Özlem Gürkut, head of Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Association warned against the opening of sectors. She stressed the resumption of work-life might cause a catastrophe. Gürkut said “our health system cannot handle any more cases” and added that the health officials must first focus on improving the health infrastructure. “Once the health system is up to par, the sectors and the public offices can only be opened gradually and perhaps on a shift basis. The staff members must adhere to hygiene rules and maintain social distance. All businesses and offices must be disinfected regularly,” Gürkut concluded.
- It is time for solidarity – Turkish Cypriot people have decided to support and protect Havadis despite the cabinet’s attempts to silence the free media. Havadis launched a donation campaign to save the daily.
- Minimum 60 per cent loss - TheGreek Cypriot side working on post-coronavirus crisis scenarios. Greek Cypriot tourism ministry hopes to start the tourism in July the earliest.
Problems big
No activity expected for TRNC tourism before July. Turkish Airlines announced yesterday (Tuesday) that it has suspended all international flights until 20 May. The head of the Hoteliers’ Association Dimağ Çağıner told Diyalog that, “even if flights were to resume on 20 May there is no expectation that tourists will arrive from Turkey. We are expecting tourism activities to start as of July.
- Hotels to remain empty – Greek Cypriot tourism expects a 60 per cent drop this year.
- Four people discharged – 162 tests were carried out in North Cyprus. No positive cases were detected.
- 16 of them work for a bakery – Number of cases in South Cyprus rose to 695 with 33 new cases.
- Loss of life 1403 – The numbers in Turkey has risen to 65,111 with 4,062 new cases.
The cost of reopening will be too high
The cabinet decided to reopen some of the public offices to collect money from the public as Turkey has not sent any. However, doctors warn the cabinet against it. Dr Yağmur Aldağ pleaded with the authorities not to sabotage the ongoing efforts to contain the virus and asked them to delay the opening of public offices until the end of April. She asked the cabinet to give enough time to the doctors to prepare for a possible peak in the cases in event public offices are reopened.
- A road map should be the priority – Mustafa Akıncı said the health (experts) will draw the road map ahead and politicians will follow. “Don’t try to force the health sector to follow a road map drawn by politicians,” he stressed.
- Health Minister Ali Pilli: Let’s not be overcome by languor – Pilli said they have done a good job in containing the virus however this should not mean we can relax the measures.
- Ten per cent discount on online payments – Road tax payments can be made through the online system.
Main News
No new cases but authorities warn too early to relax measures
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
No new cases of coronavirus were reported in the north on Tuesday, making it the third time in days where no new cases have been detected.
Experts on Tuesday said this may be attributed to the absence of mass testing in the north.
162 tests were carried out on Tuesday and the total number of cases remains at 100.
Turkish Cypriot Health Minister Ali Pilli, announcing the news on Tuesday warned that the absence of new cases should not be a reason for the public to stop complying with the restrictions and measures in place.
“We should not relax or let our guard down. We’re still not there yet,” he added.
Earlier on Monday, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar had said that instructions had been given for more tests to be carried out.
People’s Party (HP) General Secretary Jale Refik Rogers on Tuesday repeated the importance of carrying out more tests to get a better picture of the situation.
In a written statement Rogers said, “the first step in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic is a strong health system and a strong health infrastructure.”
Rogers, who is also a member of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health and a molecular genetics expert said following the conversion of the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu hospital into a pandemic hospital, the health ministry must now focus on the bigger picture and to start considering how the private and the public hospitals will be integrated to treat other patients.
“It is only possible to speak about reopening businesses once the health sector infrastructure with ICU capacity, equipment, and in terms of staffing, is strengthened and when the correct private and public hospital integration plan is implemented along with more testing,” Refik Rogers said.
Noting that a gradual resumption of economic activities would be the appropriate approach, the HP MP said it must be understood by all that life will not be like it used to be in the past for a while. She added even when reopening the sectors one by one, the risk of infection through contact is still there.
“It is vital to create an environment that will not strain the health system in the north while reopening the sectors,” she concluded.
Also on Tuesday, Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman demanded to see the Scientific Board recommendations or reports on allowing some of the public offices to resume work on Tuesday.
In a social media post, Erhürman urged the cabinet to release the reports prepared by the scientific board before asking public servants to return to their desks or before the opening of any one of the sectors.
“The coronavirus pandemic crisis is a stark reminder to all that cooperation is needed for the necessary measures to be taken that will ensure the protection of all the people on the island,” UniteCyprusNow (UCN) said on Tuesday.
In a written statement, UCN warned that implementing secessionist measures in the fight to contain the virus will only deepen the partition between the sides and will only make the prospects of a united Cyprus even more difficult. The UCN stressed if united Cypriots will only be stronger.
Referring to the donation of 10,000 masks by a Turkish Cypriot businessman named Olgun Argüden, the UCN said this is proof for the benefits of business cooperation on the island as a whole. The UCN also referred to the results of the collaboration through the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health and said the UCN “applauds the cooperation…which resulted in the transfer of 2000 units of chloroquine to the Turkish Cypriot community.”
On the other hand, the UCN pointed out the unilateral measures adopted by the authorities as bad examples that harm possible collaboration.
“The latest unilateral decision of the Turkish Cypriot authorities to restrict the movement of UN personnel sets a dangerous precedent. Any necessary measure must be taken in cooperation with UNFICYP to ensure both the maximum safety of the UN as well as of both communities on the island,” the statement read.
The UCN also noted they categorically reject and condemn any statement against collaboration and cooperation between the two sides.
“The world will not be the same after this pandemic and it is high time Cypriots acted responsibly and built a joint future that will prioritize health, well-being, the prosperity of all people of Cyprus and sustainability of our country as a whole,” the UCN statement concluded.
Olgun Argüden expressed his frustration on social media on Tuesday against the authorities in the north from preventing him from transporting 20,000 masks across the divide, citing the Green Line Regulation.
Arguden had imported 30,000 much-needed medical masks through the Republic on a special DHL cargo flight. He donated 10,000 to the Republic and intended to do the same in the north.
The remaining 10,000 he planned to sell to pharmacists in the north at cost price.
However, he was not permitted to cross north with the masks because of the Green Line Regulation.
In the meantime, President Mustafa Akıncı said on Tuesday that health and not politics which determines what course of action needs to be taken due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Akıncı, in a post on social media, expressed his views about the possibility of lifting restrictions and reopening businesses or the public sector.
“There are numerous news reports and comments concerning the reopening of some public offices and businesses. No doubt some citizens would like to learn my views on the matter. Whatever I have proposed to this day has been based on views expressed by health organisations or experts in the field. Once again, I say health comes before everything else. Health will lead and politics will follow,” he said.
Akıncı added that it was important for the authorities to draw a roadmap.
“Without a roadmap, we will continue to be in discord,” he stressed.
Akıncı said that life will eventually return to normal but that whatever decisions are made should be based on scientific data and recommendations.
In the meantime, Turkey reiterated its support for the north during the coronavirus crisis, an official statement said on Tuesday.
According to Turkey’s Directorate of Communications, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call with Tatar.
The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, the statement read.
Anger at support scheme continues despite the cabinet’s defence
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, Economy
OVERVIEW
“The cabinet’s mistakes will be corrected in the second support package,” Public works and communication minister Tolga Atakan said on Tuesday.
Defending the cabinet’s economic measures during a programme on Bayrak, Atakan said the government had only adopted measures within the scope of limited resources available.
He noted there are two tiers to the coronavirus pandemic. The first one is the public’s health and ensuring the eradication of the threat from the virus. The second one is the economic battle, which the community can only win if it stands in solidarity.
“The Turkish Cypriot community is experiencing a second trauma since 1963-1974 period and nothing will be the same again,” Atakan argued.
He expressed the view that the north will most likely feel the impact of the pandemic on the economy more than most countries due to the limited resources and lack of accessibility to alternative financial instruments.
Atakan also pointed out that the cabinet will not be deciding alone on the opening ports or businesses even if the threat of the virus is removed completely
“It is not possible to foresee when human activity will resume. In view of the two driving sectors in the north, namely the higher education sector and the tourism sector – this means there will be a very serious economic crisis,” Atakan said.
He stressed that the cabinet’s priority was the public’s health but the process that followed was just as important.
“Whatever we have left will be shared,” he said.
Responding to a question on the criticisms towards the support scheme, Atakan noted that bureaucrats from the labour and the economy ministries are working on the amendments to the support scheme regulation to include the media, taxi drivers and the private university shuttle bus drivers.
“It must be understood that the limited resources cannot be entirely spent or channelled to meet the needs of the public or private sectors. There are medical equipment and medical supplies we need to purchase. For example, the price of a ventilator has gone up by ten-fold since the pandemic began. There is a serious amount allocated to be used in the fight against the virus as well,” Atakan noted.
He added that more financial assistance from Turkey could lead to more support to various sectors but the cabinet could only rely on domestic resources to survive the crisis.
“When we look at the past, we used to spend the resources recklessly. Those days are over. We have to be more planned, organised. We have to evolve into a state in which we equitably collect taxes and we have to have programs,” Atakan stressed.
Atakan concluded by stating that the measures adopted to contain the coronavirus had proven to be effective but it was too soon to say when life in the north would return to normal.
Despite, the government attempts to defend the support package, representatives of various economic sectors continued to criticize the measures on Tuesday.
“Is it a crime to ask the cabinet to also consider the future of the private sector,” İŞAD (Turkish Cypriot Businessperson’ Association) board member Yeşim Direl asked in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Direl accused the cabinet of collectively working to ruin the private sector.
“The cabinet in a panic has decided to impose a 400 per cent customs tax on imported dairy products under the pretext of protecting local producers,” Direl said, pointing out that these tax hikes will naturally be reflected on consumer prices.
“People will end up paying ₺25 (€3.50) for a product which previously cost ₺5 (€0.70).
She also accused the cabinet of bringing the importer companies face-to-face with the people and the local producers.
“The private sector will now be concerned with being able to pay the salaries and on the other hand paying its taxes to the state,” Direl said. “The entire community must not be forced to pay the price for the entire public sector.”
Direl also criticized the cabinet for excluding many sectors out of its support scheme as a result of the years-long policy of “divide-and-rule.”
“There was discrimination between the public and the private sectors in the past and now there is discrimination among the public sector. It is to make sure the political parties will receive their state contributions at the end of the year. But the private sector will not forget how the politicians have robbed them of the means to stay afloat,” Direl concluded.
TÜRK-SEN (Turkish workers’ unions’ federation) president Arslan Bıçaklı said the cabinet has treated many workers unfairly by leaving them out of the salary support scheme on Monday.
In a written statement, Bıçaklı said excluding media sector employees, port workers, accountants and kindergarten teachers and many more from the scheme was unacceptable as all of them have been depositing their social security premiums for years.
Bıçaklı urged the cabinet to correct its mistake as soon as possible.
Social Democratic Party (TDP) General Secretary Halil Hızal was also among those criticizing the cabinet for excluding media sector employees from the scheme.
He said that the move was intended to cut the public of its access to information and news.
“The cabinet not only failed in managing the crisis in the health sector but has also failed to manage the economic crisis,” Hızal argued.
He also said the support scheme was far from being fair and equal, questioning on which basis had some sectors included and others excluded.
Deputy leader of the Rebirth Party (YDP) Ali Akın Önder joined the chorus on Tuesday, demanding the government’s resignation over its blunder with the economic measures.
In a written statement, Önder said the private sector can’t survive as a result of the measures adopted.
“The cabinet must resign without delay to be replaced by a technocratic government that represents a national consensus, which will implement the necessary reforms and open a healthy discussion on changing the system,” Önder stressed.
In a separate development, the Ministry of Public works and Communication Ministry announced that road tax payments and other license renewals have been postponed to May in line with the cabinet decision on keeping the public sector closed until 30 April.
Additionally, it is noted that the vehicle registration department’s online payment system is functional for road tax payments.
A ten per cent discount will be applied for those who pay online, the ministry announcement said.
Joe Biden opposes Ankara’s policies
Kıbrıs Postası
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
US presidential candidate Joe Biden is unhappy with Turkey’s actions and initiatives in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly with its drilling activities off the coast of Cyprus, Assoc Prof Dr Göktürk Tüysüzoğlu claims in his latest analysis pieced published by the Anadolu News Agency.
According to Tüysüzoğlu, Biden, known for his close ties with the Greek lobby in Washington, opposes Ankara’s policies and positions regarding Turkish Cypriots’ rights, Turkey’s continental shelf and it claims concerning Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
He claimed that Biden supports the regional alliance formed between Greece, South Cyprus, Israel and Egypt.
“His opposition, although not voiced, most probably extends to the maritime agreement signed between Turkey and Libya,” Tüysüzoğlu claimed.
The news report came as Exxon Mobil informed the government in the south they will be delaying a planned drill in their block 10 concession in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with other oil companies expected to do the same due to the ongoing coronavirus situation as well as the sharp drop in energy prices globally.
The pandemic is most likely expected to affect the other scheduled drills in the area, including those by ENI and Total, Greek Cypriot Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis confirmed.