Front Page Headlines
Violence again
Well known singer and presenter T.A was brought before the court for assaulting his girlfriend S.C. The judge also charged S.C for assaulting for T.A.
- Last Covid-19 patient discharged – The last Covid-19 patient receiving treatment at the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Nicosia was discharged. 1003 tests were carried out in the last 24 hours with no new cases reported. 1046 tests were carried out in the South and three new cases were detected.
- Night-time curfew to continue until June 1. Day-time curfew on Sundays being lifted. Barbers and Hairdressers opening up on May 20. Schools to remain closed until June 30.
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These wheels won’t turn with take-away services
Restaurants and snack bars have started take-away and food delivery services yesterday (Monday). There was some business even though it was not even close to being as busy as in the past. Business owners are concerned that takeaway services will not be sufficient to cover costs on their own. Restaurant owners in north Nicosia, who were hit bad financially as a result of the lockdown, said, “the restaurants could have opened for people with strict health and social distancing rules in place. It is unfair on the restaurants to remain closed while the supermarkets continue to work as normal.”
- Schools will remain shut until 30 June – Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay announced the latest cabinet decisions. In this regard, the schools and other educational institutions will remain closed until June 30. The night-time curfew will continue until June 1. The partial curfew on Sundays is lifted. Barbers and hairdressers will open on 20 May. Children playgrounds and picnic areas to remain shut until 1 June. The farmer’s markets will be opened from May 17 onwards.
- The last coronavirus patient in the north discharged.
- Three new cases in south Cyprus.
- 55 people died due to coronavirus in Turkey.
Patient figures “zero” but concerns continue
The last covid-19 patient was discharged yesterday (Monday) with doctors and other health workers applauding as he left the hospital. Prime Minister Ersin Tatar and Health Minister Ali Pilli also attended the ceremony to discharge the patient. While there are no new cases of coronavirus in the north, concerns about a second wave continue. Experts are concerned about a second coronavirus wave with the relaxation of measures, new entries into the north and the possibility of opening schools in the coming days.
- 12 students in every class – The schools in the south reopened only for 12th graders. The primary and secondary schools will be reopened on May 21.
- Food delivery and takeaway services commenced – The restaurants, patisserie and snack bars opened yesterday (Monday) offering take-away and food-delivery services.
- The latest situation: North 108 cases, four deaths; South 901 cases, 22 deaths; Turkey 139,771 cases, 3,841 deaths.
The charges are serious
The Mayor of Büyükkonuk (Komi Kebir) Ahmet Sennaroğlu and his brother Halil have been arrested on charges of money laundering. Ahmet Sennaroğlu who hasn’t been paying the salaries of municipal workers for months was arrested on charges of acquiring illicit money through the method of mail order. Police have detected three others involved in the crime. The incident involving the Sennaroğlu brothers shocked the public. Police which searched Mayor Sennaroğlu’s home is said to have discovered documents related to the crime.
- The excitement of the first day – Takeaway and delivery services restarted after two months.
- Restrictions being lifted – Almost everything in the TRNC is returning to normal. Only schools will not open until June 30.
Lynch hero arrested for fraud
Büyükkonuk (Komi Kebir) Mayor Ahmet Sennaroğlu, who had organised his municipal workers to stone us, was arrested together with his brother. Ahmet Sennaroğlu and his brother were arrested as part of an on-going investigation carried out by the police financial crimes task force. They are being charged with very serious crimes. Sennaroğlu was arrested when the police identified his links to the crime.
- Those working in the south not permitted to cross – Kudret Özersay said “there will be a great risk if those working in the south come and go on daily. There is consensus with the experts and the cabinet.” Özersay said the cabinet is very cautious regarding the opening of the crossings and said: “We are in favour of the opening of the crossings without putting the community’s health at risk…Neither we nor the Greek Cypriot side has reached the point of opening the crossings yet.”
- Education is over – It is announced the schools will not be opened before June 30.
- Pegging the foreign currencies but no decision yet – The cabinet, which wants to peg the value of foreign currencies, has yet to adopt such a decision.
Main News
Reopening crossings needs to be discussed between the two sides
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, CBMs
OVERVIEW
As the gradual process to normalization continues in the north, the focus has now shifted towards addressing the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as reopening crossing points.
President Mustafa Akıncı announced on Monday that the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health will hold a joint teleconference on Wednesday to assess the situation regarding coronavirus.
Akıncı, speaking during a visit by the Northern Cyprus Restauranteurs Association (Res-Bir) also touched upon the reopening of the crossing points, calling on members of the committee on both sides to come up with a viable solution.
He noted it would be beneficial for the members of the technical committee to also evaluate reopening of the crossings and submit a proposal to the sides in this regard.
“We need to hear the experts’ thoughts on the matter, but the important thing is keeping everyone on the island safe and healthy,” he said.
Akıncı said the north is ready to open talks aimed at reopening the crossing points soon, based on the health experts’ advice in recent days.
“I want to be positive and I will continue to cooperate with authorities in the south and with the UN so that we can finally achieve that,” he said, adding that his office was prepared to extend all necessary support for the reopening of the crossing points.
Akıncı reminded that no new cases have been recorded in the north for more than 20 days.
“Coupled with the fact that in the south the number of daily cases is in the single digits, I think we can be optimistic,” he added but warned against making hasty decisions.
“Opening the crossing points would be socially and economically beneficial to both communities, we need to work together to achieve that as soon as possible. We need to approach the issue from a health perspective. Otherwise, we may face serious consequences,” he said.
Akıncı also drew attention to the problems experienced by Turkish Cypriot workers and students who are currently unable to cross over to the south for their jobs or schooling.
“Therefore, the issue of crossings cannot be solved through unilateral decisions or moves. This is an issue we should take up with the Greek Cypriot side, the UN and with our cabinet,” Akıncı concluded.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay said the Turkish Cypriot side was very much in favour of reopening the crossing points but added that not at the expense of endangering the health of the Turkish Cypriot community.
Özersay, speaking on Bayrak, admitted that relations between the two communities and commerce had flourished since the opening of the crossing points.
“Businesses in the north would also greatly benefit if the crossings were to reopen but we will do so without putting the community at risk,” Özersay stressed.
He added the pandemic had still not subsided in the south with few cases and deaths still being reported.
Özersay also drew attention to recent remarks made by the Greek Cypriot government spokesman who said they had only shut four of the crossing points.
“The Greek Cypriot side is trying to distort the facts. They too do not have a clue how they will manage the risk of the coronavirus through the crossing points,” Özersay argued.
He added the north and the south were two separate jurisdictions and neither side was willing to take any risks.
“We have established a closed-circuit system in the north and have now launched a gradual process of easing restrictions, lifting bans and reopening businesses. If we were to allow entries into the north, the closed-circuit system could be jeopardized,” Özersay warned, expressing the view that the risks were just too high to reopen the crossing points at the moment.
He also noted that it was not possible to address the issue of the 1,500 Turkish Cypriot workers working in the south, the Turkish Cypriot students studying in the south and the Turkish Cypriots in Pile (Pyla) separately from the general issue of reopening the crossings.
“It is out of the question under the current conditions for Turkish Cypriot workers to cross to the south and then return north without being placed in quarantine,” Özersay said, explaining that the cabinet has taken these decisions in light of recommendations from the science board.
He also said the situation was unfortunate for the Turkish Cypriot residents of Pile (Pyla).
Özersay explained the problem lay with the absence of restrictions for villagers wishing to cross south where there was still a risk of infection.
“The cabinet is looking for a way out for the Turkish Cypriot residents of Pile (Pyla). Let it be known we are not happy about the situation,” he said, adding that the authorities were looking into various options to assist the village’s Turkish Cypriot residents.
“Nonetheless, it is currently too risky to allow Turkish Cypriots in Pile (Pyla) to cross into the north without the quarantine procedures. The health experts tell us we would risk the close-circuit system if we were to allow that,” Özersay concluded.
Also on Monday, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and AKEL on Monday underlined the need to strengthen cooperation and solidarity between the two communities to tackle the problems which have emerged as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The two parties, in a joint statement, expressed the need for more cooperation between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.
Whilst underlining the importance of the solidarity shown by health workers on both sides of the island, the parties hailed the patience and responsible stance displayed by communities in adhering to the measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus.
The two also praised the work carried out by the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health during this period, highlighting the need for establishing long-term and stable cooperation mechanisms on health to address issues concerning island’s inhabitants on both sides of the divide.
The statement also said that there will be a need to take joint action on other issues concerning the two communities such as the reopening of crossing points once the restrictive measures are lifted completely in the coming days.
Areas of cooperation may include work-life, crossings and health inspections as well as exchanging medical information or sharing medicine and supplies, the statement added.
It also stressed that it was necessary to find an urgent solution to the problem of Turkish Cypriot workers and students who are unable to return to their jobs or schools because of the restrictions in place.
The parties emphasized the importance of reopening all crossing points if the conditions allow it.
Meanwhile, the Five-Finger Mountain (Beşparmak) think-tank in the north said on Monday that the European Union (EU) was eroding the Turkish Cypriots’ commitment towards becoming a part of the bloc.
It said the EU’s policies and practices were causing irreversible harm to the Turkish Cypriot community’s support and belief in the block.
In a written statement, the organization criticized the EU for inviting Turkish Cypriots to take part in Europe Day celebrations being held online this year through a full-page newspaper ad.
“The move is ironic and meaningless. This ironic display of solidarity has once again has shown us that the EU is disregarding the balance and equal sovereignty between the two equal founding partners on the island and the guarantor countries based on the London Zurich Agreements. It has revealed once again that the EU has violated international agreements and the equal sovereignty rights of Turkish Cypriots by allowing the Greek Cypriots to join the bloc unilaterally,” the statement read.
It said that the imbalance was the biggest obstacle in achieving the desired cooperation between the two sides on the island.
“The policies and practices adopted by the EU not only upset the balance on the island but also contributes to the non-solution of the Cyprus Problem,” the organization said.
It added that the insignificant amount of assistance the EU provided to the Turkish Cypriot community in comparison to other EU member countries during the coronavirus pandemic was a clear demonstration of its discrimination against Turkish Cypriots.
Domestic tourism not enough on its own
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, Economy
OVERVIEW
“The larger five-star hotels in the north would prefer to remain closed in the process after the coronavirus pandemic as it is more cost-effective for them,” Dimağ Çağıner, head of the Turkish Cypriot Hoteliers’ Association (KITOB) said on Monday.
Speaking during a Genç TV programme, Çağıner pointed out that it was close to impossible for domestic tourism to generate even business for hotels to break even.
“It does not look likely for the hotels to work productively in the process. The domestic tourism on its own would not be enough to cover the initial costs of the bigger hotels,” Çağıner said.
He noted that the tourism sector all across the world was the worst-hit economic sector by the pandemic.
“The biggest obstacle before the sector is the limitation on flights. However, even if airlines were to resume flights, people will refrain from holidays due to the uncertainty caused by the virus,” Çağıner concluded.
In a separate statement, the leader of the Rebirth Party (YDP), Erhan Arıklı on Monday claimed that the state will go bankrupt by July.
Arıklı, speaking to Kıbrıs Postası web TV said the cabinet, by law, could only exercise the option of domestic borrowing twice.
“If they take a loan for May and then for June, the cabinet would collapse by July,” Arıklı argued.
Arıklı also argued the cabinet failed in crisis management by forcing people to stay at home during the lockdown condemning to starvation.
“The Turkish Cypriot community could only overcome the difficult period by helping each other,” Arıklı claimed.
Arıklı also slammed the cabinet over its economic austerity package.
“The cabinet, instead of implementing fiscal measures, is begging for money from Turkey and at the same time extending its hands into the public’s pockets through pay-cuts,” Arıklı said.
He also argued that the crisis caused by the pandemic has given the north the perfect opportunity to implement the much-needed structural reforms.
North continues to ease restrictions as it discharged its last Covid-19 patient
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
The last coronavirus patient in the north was discharged on Monday from the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Nicosia, leaving no active cases of the virus.
83-year old Zekai Gece was given a grand farewell as hospital staff, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar and Turkish Cypriot Health Minister Ali Pilli applauded him as he was discharged from the hospital in a wheelchair.
Tatar said it was a joyous occasion to have discharged the last patient following a hard-earned struggle against Covid-19 which started when the first case was detected two months ago on March 9.
“We passed an important test with flying colours,” he said, adding that the government was now focusing on addressing the economic fall-out of the pandemic.
He also said that many important improvements had been made in the country’s health infrastructure during this period.
Tatar, however, warned against complacency, stressing that the danger was not over yet.
Pilli for his part said that the success achieved belonged to the health care workers for which he added the Turkish Cypriot community would be eternally grateful to.
He said the north, which was not recognized internationally, had proven itself to the world with its success in eradicating all active Covid-19 cases.
Pilli added that no new cases were reported in the bulk of 1003 tests carried out on Monday.
The amount of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the north has remained stable at 108 since April 17 despite the increased testing.
A total of 25,057 tests have been carried out to date and a total of four people have died from the virus.
According to the health ministry, the hospital unit designated to treat coronavirus patients is now empty but will remain as part of the special scheme solely to treat Covid-19 patients.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriot authorities continued to lift more restrictions on Monday as part of the north’s gradual process towards normalization.
According to the new decisions, the partial day-time curfew on Sundays, starting as of May 18 will be lifted.
The night-time curfew, however, will continue to remain in place until June 1.
Restrictions on all businesses or establishments on Sundays has also been lifted.
As of May 18, individuals will be able to set sail on their private boats. Sports and training exercises at facilities as well as walks will be allowed on the condition they are not carried out in groups.
Picnic sites and children’s playgrounds will continue to remain closed until June 1.
However, outdoor sports activities around picnic sites and green areas are allowed.
Schools and all educational institutions will continue to remain closed until June 30, meaning that education for the 2020 spring semester has ended.
Arrangements will be made for final year students at primary and secondary schools who need to take make-up exams or sit secondary school entrance exams.
Barbers and hairdressers will be allowed to open shop as of May 20 but their services will be restricted to haircuts and styling only.
Close shaving or beauty related procedures such as manicures and pedicures will not be permitted.
Other restrictions lifted include those on open-air or farmers’ markets.
Stall owners will be able to set up their stands on Sundays according to guidelines determined by the municipalities.
Visitors will be able to visit all historic and tourist sides as of May 18 but the ban on all social and mass gatherings such as festivals, weddings concerts and will remain in force until June 1.
The ban on entry for all individuals whose permanent address of residency is in the north will also be lifted as of June 1.
These individuals will have to remain in mandatory quarantine for 14 days upon their entry into the country.
A series of measures have also been taken to extend driving and provisional licenses which have expired.
Work restarts on cultural heritage sites across the island
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Even during the difficult situation posed by the coronavirus pandemic the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage has continued its weekly meetings though teleconferencing to review priorities and future activities, it said on Monday.
“We have continued honouring our mandate whilst at the same time ensuring that we fully adhere to the lockdown restrictions,” a statement issued by the technical committee read.
Over the coming weeks in accordance with the lifting of applicable restrictions, the committee and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will oversee the safe resumption of works at ten cultural heritage sites across Cyprus, specifically seven mosques in the Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca districts, the resumption of conservation works for two churches and the start of the second phase for the Apostolos Andreas Monastery.
Furthermore, the statement reassured that all members of the committee and the advisory board have continued to meet remotely and adapted their working practices to comply with the Covid-19 measures in both communities.
Since 2011, a total of 55 cultural heritage sites have been conserved, structurally supported, physically protected or restored across Cyprus by the technical committee with funding mainly from the EU and the technical support of the UNDP.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriot Co-chair of the Bicommunal Technical Committee Ali Tuncay announced on Monday that restoration work on the Cephane (Quirini) Bastion on the old Nicosia walls has resumed following the interruption due to the Covid-19 lockdown measures.
Syrian migrant arrested in the north
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Migration & Citizenship, Internal Security
OVERVIEW
A Syrian migrant, who entered the north unlawfully using his speedboat, was detained by the police at the Famagusta Port, the dailies reported on Tuesday.
The Syrian migrant, following his arrest, has been placed under quarantine at the Famagusta police station.
Testifying at the court hearing held in the Syrian migrant’s absence, the police officer in charge of the investigation informed the judge the suspect had arrived at the port using his speedboat on May 7 and was detained on 10 May upon a call made to the police.
He added following the completion of the investigation, the Syrian migrant will be deported.
The Famagusta Court ordered the suspect to be remanded for three more days.