Front Page Headlines
Health first before ‘re-opening’
The coronavirus pandemic has brought the wheels to the economy to a grinding halt. Businesses have remained closed for 41 days. Sector representatives spoke to Yenidüzen about the issue of reopening businesses. They stated that health should not be mixed with politics: “We will act according to the Scientific Council.”
- Wearing masks becoming mandatory – Council of Minister adopted new decisions. As of Friday, everyone will be required to wear a mask when going out. No mass events during the month of Ramadan. More tests will be carried out on municipal workers, police and pharmacists who are under higher risk. Health Ministry to hire services from private doctors through funding provided by the EU. Restrictions for entry by sea extended until 30 April with some exemptions granted. “Unemployment payment” is being revised to ₺1,500 (₺200)
- Assistance from EU continues – 20 ventilators, 15,000 face visors, one biosafety cabin and one medical waste incinerator donated by the European Commission and UNDP delivered to health ministry storage units.
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The 175 migrants on the verge of rebellion
The group of 175 undocumented migrants which include 69 children and 30 women, had been housed at a nearby apartment block in İskele (Trikomo) for a month now. It is reported they are fed up of waiting and want to be allowed to cross to the south to be united with their relatives. Hasan Sadıkoğlu, Mayor of İskele (Trikomo), said the municipality will not refrain from assisting the migrants but the problem needs to be solved before we are faced with an unwanted incident.
- Not allowed to go out without a mask – The cabinet adopted a new decision, which will be in force from tomorrow (Friday) onwards.
The initiative lies with the state
Head of Association of Banks, Olgun Önal told Havadis Web TV that the banks did their part in the economic crisis triggered by the pandemic. He said the loan-payments were deferred by three months to help the people. “There was a liquidity problem with the state and the banks provided the required funds,” Önal added. He also touched on the payments to be made under the salary support scheme and objected to the method proposed by the cabinet. “It is not right to force 60,000 people to come to the banks to collect their support payments when we are experiencing a pandemic,” Önal stressed. He, however, stated that the final decision lies with the state.
- The latest situation: North 108 cases, four deaths; South 790 cases, 13 deaths; Turkey 98674 cases, 2376 deaths.
The only option is to borrow money
Finance Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu who pointed out that the TRNC’s revenues had dropped from ₺550m (€73m) to ₺200m (€26.5m) said that the ₺61m (€8m) cut from public-sector employees will be paid back.
- Positive news from Pilli – Number of tests in North Cyprus was increased to 646. No positive cases were detected.
- Another death – The total number of cases in the South rose to 790 with six new cases.
- Loss of life 2,376 – The total number of cases in Turkey rose to 98,674 with an increase of 3.083 cases.
- Strict controls will be held – It will be forbidden to go out without a mask as of tomorrow (Friday).
Not allowed to go out without a mask
The cabinet which is getting ready to ease restrictions as of May has stepped up its health measures. People will not be allowed to go out without a mask from Friday onwards. Additionally, any mass gatherings or prayer meetings which is traditional during the month of fasting (Ramadan) will also not permitted.
- No positive cases for five days in the north – Turkish Cypriot Health Minister said 646 tests had been carried out on Wednesday without detecting any positive cases. One more person passed away due to coronavirus in the south. There are six new cases in the south.
- 30.000 protective gowns from the EU and the UNDP
- Nothing missing from the hospital – Adil Özyılkan, Chief Physician at the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital denounced Sibel Siber’s claims. He added all the stocks are being kept under record.
Main News
Cabinet adopts new measures despite no new cases
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Wednesday became the fourth day in a row in which no new cases of Covid-19 were reported in the north.
According to the Turkish Cypriot health ministry, 646 tests were conducted on Wednesday bringing the total number of tests of 7525.
The total number of cases confirmed in the north currently stands at 108.
The health ministry said that two more patients had been discharged with 17 more still receiving treatment.
A total of 87 people has been discharged to date.
In the meantime, the cabinet announced on Wednesday that it will be mandatory, starting as of Friday, April 24, for everyone to wear a mask when they step out as part of measures to curb the further spread of the coronavirus.
All individuals and employees will have to wear masks when leaving their homes for work or purposes permitted under the partial-curfew, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay.
Özersay also announced that mass fast-breaking dinners or prayer meetings will not be allowed throughout the month of Ramadan which begins on Friday.
It is a tradition for Muslims fasting during the holy month to break their fast in communion with friends and family.
Other decisions include the granting of exemptions for Turkish Cypriots who were receiving medical treatment abroad.
Patients sent abroad by the health ministry and who have completed their treatment will be allowed to return to the north by sea before April 30.
Individuals who had travelled abroad to attend the funeral of a first-degree family member will also be allowed to return to the north as part of the exemption.
All those arriving will be placed in a mandatory 14-day-quarantine.
Özersay also said that efforts were underway to increase testing.
He said priority will be given to those who have continued to work in the field as well as healthcare and municipal workers.
Özersay announced that a protocol signed between the health ministry and the Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Association had also been approved by the cabinet.
He said that according to the protocol, 20-25 healthcare workers from the private sector will be temporarily hired to the public sector for a period of no longer than three months through the support of financial resources from the European Union (EU).
Meanwhile, the second batch of medical supplies from the European Union (EU) designated for the Turkish Cypriot Community was delivered on Wednesday.
The consignment includes 15,000 face visors, 20 suction units, one medical waste incinerator and a biosafety cabin were handed over to Turkish Cypriot authorities.
A third shipment of supplies of 30,000 protective gowns, 32 infusion pumps, 40 flow meters and 4,416 PCR testing kits will be delivered later this week, it was also reported.
Also on Wednesday, the Chief Physician at the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu Dr Adil Özyılkan refuted allegations that large quantities of medical supplies used for the treatment of Covid-19 patients were missing from the hospital’s inventory.
The claim was brought forward a medical worker and rumours circulated that the hospital administration had come to the brink of resigning due to the allegations.
In a statement on Wednesday, Özyılkan said that the records of all medical supplies were being kept at the hospital.
He added that investigation into the allegations revealed nothing suspicious or missing supplies.
“The supplies have been distributed according to the needs of the various hospitals as well as the quarantine facilities. We have not detected an unnecessary usage or theft of medical supplies,” he said.
Özyılkan also said there was no way healthcare workers at the general hospital could detect whether or not there were supplies missing.
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar on Wednesday said the government was waging a successful war to contain the spread of Covid-19 as a result of the right and swift steps it took.
Tatar, speaking on a TV programme, expressed gratitude for Turkey’s support during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He added that there were currently only 17 patients receiving treatment for Covid-19 as more than 90 people have been discharged following their recovery.
“Covid-19 knocked on our doors and is leaving,” he said.
Tatar, however, said, he did not know when flights would resume or when the crossing points would open again.
“I believe these issues will become clearer by mid-May,” he said, adding that Turkey was also successful in its fight against the virus.
Tatar also noted that there was a little panic in the South but that they too had started planning for a return to normal conditions.
Regarding the economy, Tatar said that the road to recovery will be long and hard.
He admitted the government experienced difficulties in the economic aspect of the crisis but promised to do more for the economy once the pandemic was over.
“We will have to focus more on local production and employment. We can’t send the money we earn abroad. We just aren’t that rich,” he added.
Akıncı: “We are not in a political fight”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, Governance and Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
“We are not in a political fight. On the contrary, we are going through days where solidarity and unity are needed the most,” President Mustafa Akıncı said in two consecutive interviews on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Speaking to HaberKıbrıs web TV on Tuesday, Akıncı said he was working for the interest of the Turkish Cypriot community.
“Politics is the art of finding solutions to problems. In this regard, yes, I am conducting politics because I see as a way to work for the people and the community,” Akıncı stressed.
He added the current situation calls for everyone to be in solidarity and to assist and collaborate with each other.
Reiterating the same message during a programme on Kıbrıs Postası web TV on Thursday, Akıncı said his priority was the health of the Turkish Cypriot community.
He pointed out that the two separate advisory councils that had been created under his office were for this very purpose.
On the issue of the efforts to contain the coronavirus, Akıncı said that the low number cases were positive developments but that this did not mean the measures could be relaxed.
He underlined the importance of continuing with the measures in place to make the current situation sustainable, a view which was recommended the scientific team working for his office.
Akıncı also urged the public to adhere to the measures and underlined the need for most testing.
Akıncı asked to evaluate the process since the outbreak began, recalled that he had presided over two cabinet meetings during which he had proposed for the declaration of a state-of-emergency.
“This was not an opinion of mine but there were some of the political party leaders who had voiced this view. Additionally, the doctors’ association, former chief doctors of the state hospital and other renowned doctors were all convinced this was the best move to make. However, the cabinet did not agree with the idea only to implement the same measures in the days that followed,” he said.
Akıncı also argued that the legitimacy and legality of the cabinet decrees and decisions would not be debated today had a state-of-emergency been declared.
“More importantly, the office of the president, the parliament and the cabinet would have worked in harmony,” he added.
Asked to evaluate the relations with Turkey, Akıncı rejected the criticisms that there is no dialogue with Ankara.
“There had been statements made on the issue today (Tuesday) that Turkey will continue to meet all the required needs of the north. Turkey is capable of doing so,” he noted.
Akıncı also reiterated the importance of the need for a healthy relationship with Turkey.
“We do not want to cut off our relations with Turkey. On the contrary, we want to maintain our dialogue on a healthy basis,” he said.
Akıncı, responding to a question on his role in the coronavirus crisis, said: “I am both a leader, an observer and the one that makes suggestions.”
“As the president and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, I am trying to do the best I can and to contribute in the best way possible. I am not in any competition with anyone,” Akıncı stressed.
He also explained that public health should be the determining factor in any decision to be taken concerning the economy and re-opening businesses.
Akıncı, responding to a question on the criticisms directed at him regarding the request made for medicine and supplies from the south, said he didn’t want to continue debating this issue.
“Despite statements from my office and the bicommunal health committee, there are people who chose not to let the matter go. It is not possible to comprehend their behaviour or why they insist on not understanding what they read,” Akıncı said.
He reminded that the medicines in question had been requested by the bicommunal technical committee on health, which was established in 2008.
Akıncı also recalled the joint work of the health committee ranging from mosquitos to SARS pandemic.
“Following the meeting of the committee on February 3, both the Greek Cypriot leader and I agreed to keep the committee alive and to collaborate against the common enemy,” Akıncı stressed.
Explaining further, Akıncı said the committee as part of its work, had prepared a list of what is needed.
“The Greek Cypriot chair of the committee relayed a message to his counterpart in the north and expressed they could spare some medicines and protective gear. I asked for help from Mayor of Nicosia Turkish Municipality and informed the Health Ministry and the Police Commissioner about the delivery and the consignment was delivered,” Akıncı said.
He explained his undersecretary had to call the undersecretary at the health ministry to inform them about the delivery after the health minister failed to pick up his calls.
Asked to comment on the Turkish Cypriots’ plight in Pile (Pyla), Akıncı said he is in regular contact with the Turkish Cypriot mukhtar Veysal Gudan.
Akıncı said he has been informed about a new problem in the mixed village on Wednesday and he will follow up with the British Base authorities, the Turkish Cypriot cabinet and with the United Nations.
Akıncı also rejected the accusations that he is interfering with the work of the cabinet and said it was his responsibility to contribute and assist the efforts to contain the coronavirus.
He added that both of the advisory boards created under his office were sharing their recommendations with the cabinet.
Akıncı also said he is expecting the EU and Turkey to contribute more to the north.
“The system in the north is not sustainable and everyone is faced with this stark reality,” Akıncı concluded.
Amcaoğlu expresses optimism on returning to normal conditions
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, Economy
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Finance Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu expressed optimism on Wednesday about the road to normalisation.
“The life will continue in the north after May,” Amcaoğlu said during a programme on Bayrak.
Amcaoğlu added the cabinet was looking into the possibility of reopening of some sectors, starting the beginning of May.
“The state’s monthly ₺550m (€73m) revenues have dropped by 55 per cent. The daily revenues dropped by 64 per cent,” Amcaoğlu stressed. He also added the fuel oil sales had also dropped by 75 per cent.
Reminding the cabinet will convene to discuss economic measures, Amcaoğlu said the cabinet was managing the economic crisis with very limited resources.
To confer with Amcaoğlu’s statement, Kudret Özersay in his remarks following the cabinet meeting on Wednesday said the officials from Labour, Economy and Health ministries will produce a report on which sectors could be opened and under which conditions.
“The report will be presented to the cabinet on Friday and the members of the cabinet will evaluate the possibility of reopening some of the sectors but not before May,” Özersay said.
A decision was also taken by the cabinet to bring down ‘unemployment payment,’ which is ₺2617 (€348) to ₺1500 (€200) in line with the economic measures adopted for the government.
Özersay said the measure was proposed by the Labour ministry to remove any unfair situation that might be created through various support schemes but added that the decision will only be applied to new beneficiaries of the ‘unemployment payment.’
He added that the details will be shared with the public next week.
The move was criticized by Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman who argued it was not possible for anyone to get by with the ₺1500 (€200) support provided.
He demanded that the cabinet revises its decision to lower unemployment pay.
Erhürman also raised the possibility of domestic borrowing for the cabinet as a way to overcome the economic difficulties being faced.
Meanwhile, sector representatives spoke to Yenidüzen about their expectations concerning the economy.
While all shared the joint view that the priority should be the public’s health before businesses can reopen, they also expressed concern as to what awaited them when they return to work.
Greece and S. Cyprus threat to regional peace, says Ankara
Kıbrıs Postası
Energy, External Security, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Ankara fired back after its plans to launch new drilling activities off the coast of Cyprus were condemned on several fronts.
Turkey reacted to Greece’s condemnation on Tuesday of the country’s newly declared drilling within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus (RoC).
“Greece, with today’s statement, once again exhibits her unrealistic perceptions and rights-refusing attitudes regarding the problems in our region,” Hami Aksoy, spokesman for Turkey’s foreign ministry, told journalists late Tuesday.
“The Greek/Greek Cypriot sides deliberately ignore the fact that Turkey has legitimate and sovereign rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea and Turkish Cypriots have equal rights, as the co-owner of the Island, on the resources around the island,” Aksoy said.
He said that the “maximalist and uncompromising attitude” of Greece and Cyprus was an “actual threat to peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
In a statement posted Sunday on the Turkish Defence Ministry website, the country said its drillships – the Fatih and the Yavuz – and research vessels Barbaros and Oruç Reis were continuing their activities in the eastern Mediterranean, and that the Turkish navy is providing security from both the air and sea.
In another development in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkish Armed Forces said it had conducted an unannounced aerial and naval exercise displaying its ability it can reach anywhere in the region from Cyprus to Libya with ease.
A fleet of Turkish F16 jets all armed, including a tanker aircraft, took off from military airbases in Konya and İncirlik (Adana) en route to the Eastern Mediterranean and Libya to carry out long-distance and uninterrupted mission capabilities.
The F-16s remained in the air for nearly eight hours with refuelling with the tanker aircraft mid-air four times.
KEY ACTORS
MFA (Turkey)
>> Greece exhibits her unrealistic perceptions & rights-refusing attitudes regarding the problems in our region.
>> The Greek/GC sides deliberately ignore the fact that Turkey has legitimate & sovereign rights in the east Med. & the Aegean Sea.
>> TCs have equal rights, as the co-owner of the Island, on the resources around the island.
>> The “maximalist & uncompromising attitude” of Greece & S. Cyprus was an “actual threat to peace and stability in the East. Med.
The 175 migrants on the verge of rebellion
Kıbrıs
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The 175 undocumented migrants who been temporarily housed in an apartment complex in İskele (Trikomo) are on the verge of rebellion as they are fed up of waiting, Kıbrıs reports on Thursday.
The group of 175 Syrian migrants which includes 69 children and 30 women, had been placed at a nearby residential estate in İskele (Trikomo) since their rescue when their boat capsized in shallow waters on 22 March off the coast of the Karpaz (Karpasia) peninsula.
Speaking to Kıbrıs Hasan Sadıkoğlu, mayor of İskele (Trikomo) said the municipality will not refrain from assisting the migrants but the problem needs to be solved before they were faced with unwanted incidents.
The state provides three meals per day while other needs are covered by the İskele (Trikomo) municipality.
Fezile Osum, board member of the Refugee Rights’ Association said that it was unacceptable to deport the 175 migrants but it was also not acceptable to restrict the migrants’ movements or their access to communication.
Reports said the migrants were strictly confined to their flats, some were living in overcrowded conditions and were not allowed to leave the building.
Police have been guarding the facility.
There were several incidents where some of the migrants tried to jump off their balconies.
“Seeking asylum and being a refugee is basic human rights therefore those who came to the north must not be deported and must be entitled to certain human rights,” Osum stressed.
He added that the migrants were under police monitoring and they cannot leave the building block where they are placed.
Osum said one of the migrants attempted to flee by jumping from the balcony. “Since then the migrants are not even allowed to come on to the balcony,” Osum claimed.
She also pointed out that neither Turkey nor the Greek Cypriot side was accepting refugees or migrants due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Osum also expressed her appreciation of the people in İskele (Trikomo) who rushed to help and provide food and clothes for the 175 migrants.