Front Page Headlines
“Only PCR can show whether there is a virus or not”
Head of the Global Health Systems Cluster at Harvard University, Turkish Cypriot Prof Rifat Atun said that the first 100-meter sprint had been completed by that the coronavirus pandemic was a marathon. He said that the virus will not spread if people limit socializing or if someone from the outside doesn’t bring the virus. But it’s important how the virus will be handled in the second phase.
- “Schools should remain closed until June 15 and the situation should be reassessed – The Science Council presented a report on the reopening of schools. While the Prime Minister and Education Minister refrained from announcing the recommendations made, Yenidüzen got a hold of it.
- One case in the south, none in the south
Ceased Print/Online only
This is not motherhood
People’s blood ran cold when they heard about a hearing at the Famagusta court yesterday (Saturday). Y. B, who is being charged with abusing and torturing her two daughters aged five and six, first heated a knife on the stove before branding the two girls with it. The police officer in charge of the investigation told the court that the children had also admitted to a social services officer that their mother had indeed branded them with the hot knife. The judge ordered the accused to undergo a psychiatric evaluation at the Dr Burhan Nabantoğlu Hospital and for police to collect testimonies from her neighbours.
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Joyride to kill
M.H believed to be driving under the influence of drugs crashed into a line of cars parked by the side of the road, turning the area into a war zone. The individual, accompanied by two other individuals, was driving a rented car. He was seriously injured in the crash and taken to hospital.
- No positive cases – 1,988 people were tested in North Cyprus.
- Only one case – 1,789 people were tested in South Cyprus.
- Death toll 3,739 –The total number of cases in Turkey has reached 137,115 with an increase of 1,546.
No cases, no deaths either
There are no new cases in the north and the number of cases in the south dropped to one. Even though the absence of no cases is worrying it is still good news that there are no deaths. However, the public’s complacency and relaxation have raised concerns. Turkish Cypriot health minister Ali Pilli announced no new cases were detected in 1988 tests carried out on Saturday. The total number of tests has reached 23,064 to date only identifying 108 cases. There is only one patient currently being treated.
- The fight against the virus starts now – Dr Özcan Hüdaverdi, who is an internal diseases specialist at the Kyrenia Dr Akçiçek hospital said asymptomatic carriers of the virus, might have infected others after the opening process.
- The crossings cannot be treated like borders – The Third Community Forum called on the leaders in Turkish, English and Greek.
- Resit exams will be held – Education Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu, who made announcements on education following the Scientific Board presented him with their report, said even if the schools are not opened, resit exams will be held. He urged people not to panic and said the schools will have graduates and the first semester grades will be accepted as the year-end grades.
- Many homes did not receive aid – The Turkish Cypriot Association for people with orthopedically handicapped said while some of the homes received aid, many of the houses did not.
Main News
Third Community Forum calls for reopening of crossings
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, Human Rights, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The pro-solution Third Community Forum on Saturday said that it was unacceptable to treat the ‘line’ dividing the island as a ‘border’.
In a written statement, the Forum said that the Bicommunal Committee on Health should be given a say on the decision regarding the reopening of the crossing points.
“We invite Cypriot Leaders to take responsibility: the “Bi-communal Committee on Health” should meet with one item on the agenda; ‘Crossings’, the statement read.
The Forum said that it opposed the idea of quarantine practices obliterating freedoms adding that students and workers living in the northern part of the island should be able to go back to their schools and their workplaces in the south.
“We should not remain silent to the violation of the right to education or to make a living. We should not lead workers into unemployment during such a difficult time,” it added.
The Forum also said that both sides should be utterly sensitive, attentive and responsible while making decisions with regards to arrivals to the island.
“We should remember; Cypriots have overcome many pandemics through “common struggle” in the past. Let us move forward united rather than divided. We call upon all civil society organizations to act together and work towards uniting Cyprus,” the Forum concluded.
Meanwhile, Kıbrıs Postası reported on Saturday that both leaders were silent and inactive over the issue of reopening crossing points despite the fact it had been 70 days since the first crossing point was temporarily closed as part of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The paper reported that NGOs were calling on the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health to meet with an agenda to discuss the reopening of the crossing points.
It reminded that scuffles had been experienced at the Lokmacı (Ledra) crossing point between activists and Greek Cypriot police when the Greek Cypriot authorities had temporarily shut down four crossing points on February 29 as measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
The paper said that the Turkish Cypriot authorities followed suit on March 14 following the first confirmed case in the north, closing all points of entry.
The co-chair of the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health Cenk Soydan told Kıbrıs Postası that the Greek Cypriot authorities were not even allowing some of the cancer patients receiving treatment in the south from crossing over.
Soydan said that neither leader had requested that the committee convene to discuss the issue of crossings. He added however that there was a need for a little bit more time before the crossing points could open as there were still positive cases of Covid-19 being reported in the south.
TC police arrest individual for crossing south illegally
Yenidüzen
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
A Turkish Cypriot man who had crossed over to the south illegally was arrested in the north on Friday after returning 20 months later.
According to the police officer in charge of the investigation, the Turkish Cypriot had crossed over to the north on April 24 through the Ledra Palace crossing point but had not been detained by police at the time.
He was later tracked down by police and arrested.
The officer said the suspect had confessed that he had been in Greek Cypriot police custody for 20 months.
The individual was released on bail pending trial but will have to report to a police station three times a week.