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“No complacency, careful about a second wave”
Member of the Scientific Council, public health expert, Prof Dr Songül Vaizoğlu stressed that it was necessary to be careful about the gradual reopening process. She said that the lifting of the partial curfew and reopening of economic sectors should not be acknowledged as a return to how things were before. “This is not a period of complacency. It is very likely that a second wave could hit the TRNC which has a low immunity rate. We have only seen the tip of the iceberg with the tests conducted so far. The submerged part of the iceberg, the asymptomatic cases is a very big risk. We can only detect these cases through testing,” she said. Prof Vaizoğlu said that only 1.8 per cent of the community has been tested. “We don’t know whether or not a large section of the population has contracted the virus,” she added.
- First reopening steps tomorrow (Monday) – Many businesses which have been shut since the Covid-19 outbreak in March are reopening tomorrow. Dozens of businesses which have remained closed for a month and a half prepared for Monday.
- Erhürman: “Do you think this is the right method?”
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Cleanup first
A month-and-a-half has passed since most businesses were shut down as part of the lockdown and a partial curfew was imposed. Many of the businesses, which will open tomorrow (Monday) have been left unattended in the meantime. The shop windows have become dirty and the fallen leaves were not swept. Additionally, the businesses that will reopen must disinfect their premises prior to opening shop. There will also be regular cleaning and disinfection at the premises especially regarding common use areas.
- Assisted the murder suspects to flee – Two Syrian nationals fled to the north after committing murder in the south. Muhammet Özmen, who was arrested two days ago, had aided and abetted the Syrians, hiding him in his home for four days. The two, who are accused of killing a 20-year-old person in Paphos were arrested in Famagusta Port on April 30. The Syrians’ testimony led the police to the arrest of Özmen.
- Execution of all monetary decisions and sequestration orders postponed until June 30 – The cabinet issued a decree to postpone all court decisions on eviction, monetary decisions and sequestration orders.
- 864 cases of coronavirus in the south.
- 3,336 people passed away due to coronavirus in Turkey.
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Tension flares
Two people who recorded a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Ersin Tatar and a woman were arrested. Tensions flared yesterday (Saturday) after the conversation circulated on social media, publicly and privately. Tatar filed a complaint to the police but the contents of the conversation were not revealed. Two people were arrested on charges of violating the privacy of an individual.
- No positive cases – 373 tests were carried out in North Cyprus.
- 1,731 people tested – Seven new cases were recorded in South Cyprus bringing the total number of cases to 864.
- Death toll 3,336 – The number of cases in Turkey rose by 1983 bringing the total figure to 124,375.
We have relaxed too much
1,500 soldiers and 2,500 passengers are due to arrive! According to information obtained by Afrika, 1,500 (Turkish) soldiers have been deployed to the north and they will not be subjected to any health ministry quarantine procedures. The Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus (KTBK) will place the soldiers under quarantine at their barracks. On the other hand, the efforts to repatriate more Turkish Cypriots currently in the UK and from Turkey will resume as of May 6. 2,500 people are expected to arrive in the north until May 15. The funerals of eight Turkish Cypriots who had passed away in the UK due to coronavirus will also arrive with the passengers.
- 373 cases and no positive cases – While there are no new cases in the north, seven new cases were identified in the south. The total tally in the south is 864.
- ₺1,500 (€200) salary support payments to start on Monday – Labour Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu said he hopes to be able to send the lists to the banks on Monday to start making payments to those eligible.
- The measures to be adopted by the businesses announced – The measures are published in the official gazette.
Main News
North drops three places on RSF’s World Press Freedom index
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The head of the Turkish Cypriot Journalists Association (KTGB) Sami Özuslu on Saturday called on the Turkish Cypriot community to secure the freedom of the press.
Özuslu, in a statement issued to mark May 3rd World Press Freedom Day, said that among other regional and local threats, the coronavirus was also endangering the freedom of the press.
He pointed out that the north had fallen three places in the World Press Freedom Index in 2020.
The north currently stands in 77th place among 180 countries.
Özuslu recalled that the north had moved up two places on the index, renewed annually by the Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the previous year.
“Particularly the unacceptable situation in Turkey concerning democracy and fundamental rights as well as unacceptable statements, actions and cases in which our freedom of the press has been shadowed by had unfortunately lowered our standings,” Özuslu said.
He gave the examples of the attacks on Afrika newspaper and more recently the decision by RTÜK (Turkey’s TV and Radio Supreme Council) to block Diyalog TV from satellite broadcasts.
“In both cases, the authorities have remained in deep silence. The freedom of the press is an inseparable component of other democratic rights and freedoms. To defend, protect and uphold the democratic order and freedoms is among the top priority of the institution of politics,” he said, adding that the government and other political circles were showing weak reactions to such infringements.
He warned that the danger was great and that every pruned right and freedom was a sign of new attacks.
“It is not known who will be the next target,” Özuslu added.
The KTGB president said that among the reasons for the drop in the north’s standing in the RSF index was the general reluctance to criticize Turkish officials and the creation of an environment of pressure.
He also gave the examples of the appeals case filed against Afrika newspaper and its senior staff, all which had earlier been acquitted of claims of having insulted the Turkish president, the censoring of a survey carried out by Kıbrıs newspaper on the presidential elections and how it emerged that the owner of the daily had met with the Turkish President as well as the resignation of two senior editors from the same paper due to its election policies.
Preparations underway for reopening sectors
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, Economy
OVERVIEW
The dailies on Sunday published the measures that businesses must adhere to prior to resuming operations on Monday, while the Turkish Cypriot officials and medical experts warn the public against being complacent over personal hygiene measures.
It is important more than ever to be careful about the gradual reopening process, Prof Dr Songül Vaizoğlu, who is also a member of the Scientific Council and a public health expert.
She added that the lifting of the partial curfew and reopening of economic sectors should not be regarded as a return to how things were before and warned: “This is not a period of complacency.”
Vaizoğlu also argued that it was possible that the north could be hit by a second wave of the coronavirus.
Also criticising the low test numbers, Vaizoğlu said: “We have only seen the tip of the iceberg with the tests conducted so far. The submerged part of the iceberg, the asymptomatic cases is a very big threat. We can only detect these cases through testing.”
Prof Vaizoğlu said that only 1.8 per cent of the community has been tested and added it is not yet known whether or not a large section of the population has contracted the virus.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Kudret Özersay also warned against complacency in a social media post on Saturday.
“The pandemic is not over yet,” Özersay stressed and highlighted that reopening some of the businesses did not mean the public could begin socializing with friends and family.
Özersay urged everyone to be extremely cautious.
“Relaxing some of the measures in place against the pandemic does not mean we can return to our normal lives,” Özersay concluded.
Also on Saturday, Leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman criticized the cabinet over its decision to reopen some of the sectors.
In a social media post, Erhürman drew attention to the joint statement issued by the Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Association (KTTB), the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) and the Turkish Cypriot Medical Workers’ Union (TIP-İŞ) regarding the high risks associated with the reopening process.
“We have the country’s top three health/medical organisations arguing against the government’s decision, stating that it is too early and risky and then we have a government which claims the decision was made on the basis of recommendations from the Scientific Board. Who should we believe now?” Erhürman asked.
He argued the cabinet has failed in gaining the public’s confidence and trust in managing and handling the crisis.
“We have been asking for a single scientific board, which would share its recommendations with the public regularly so that people can trust the authorities,” Erhürman stressed.
He argued the cabinet had only succeeded in even confusing the public more than ever with its conflicting statements.
“What should we do now? Is your management approach based on letting people believe in anything they like? Is this the correct approach in your opinion?,” Erhürman asked.
People’s Party (HP) MP Jale Refik Rogers also touched on the reopening process to be launched on May 4.
In a social media post, Rogers said the only global guidance on reopening processes is to follow the developments closely.
“Two to four weeks will be needed to monitor the developments of the coronavirus pandemic following the reopening process,” she noted, adding it was vital to continue with testing during this period.
“We could reverse the decisions or slow down the process if we see a rise in cases following the gradual reopening process,” Rogers said.
She also urged the people to adhere to personal hygiene rules as well as to continue maintaining social distancing.
On the other hand, the labour ministry criteria for the businesses to reopen was published in the official gazette.
In addition to adhering to hygiene rules, the businesses will be required to keep a record of all customers who walk through their doors.
The businesses that will reopen must disinfect their premises before opening and on a regular basis.
Covid-19 proves beneficial for Turkey’s policy in the East Med.
Kıbrıs Postası
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
As energy firms have suspended their activities in light of the coronavirus pandemic that has led to a drop in demand for oil thus effecting prices, experts claim Turkey’s advantageous position in the Eastern Mediterranean will become stronger,
Head of the Sustainable Energy Department at the Izmir Economy University Prof Dr Mehmet Efe Biresselioğlu, in an article published in Kıbrıs Postası on Sunday, praised Turkey’s policies in the region.
“The correct policies adopted and implemented before the coronavirus pandemic and the bilateral agreements signed, have given Turkey a significant advantage over others in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Biresselioğlu said.
He argued that should Turkey overcome the coronavirus crisis with minimum damage, it will become even stronger from an economic and geopolitical perspective.
Biresselioğlu also argued that the struggle in the region will resume following the coronavirus pandemic but Turkey will be stronger in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Man arrested for aiding murder suspects
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Muhammet Özmen was arrested by police on Saturday as part of an on-going investigation regarding two Syrian nationals, who were arrested at the Famagusta port on April 30, the dailies report on Sunday.
It is reported that Özmen had aided and abetted the two Syrians by hiding them in his home for four days.
The two are believed to have fled to the north after committing a murder in Paphos.
Speaking during the court hearing, the police officer in charge of the investigation, said the testimony given by the Syrian suspects had led to the arrest of Özmen.
The Syrians crossed to the north through a military zone near Gayretköy (Avlona).
The court ordered Özmen to be remanded in custody pending the completion of the police investigation.
The Greek Cypriot media had previously reported the police had detained nine people in connection with the stabbing to death of 20-year-old Jamal Alhadzi in Paphos on April 10.
The police in the south were still searching for the two prime suspects as part of the murder investigation.