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Five cases in five days
While flights resumed on July 1 as of part of the lifting of quarantine requirement, the number of arriving passengers who tested positive and are being kept under observation has reached five in five days. Health Minister Ali Pilli announced yesterday (Monday) that 889 tests had been carried out with one individual testing positive. He said the person who tested positive was a Turkish national who arrived by plane. Minister Pili who said that health came before everything else urged the public to obey the rules. Pilli asked the public to wear masks, maintain social distancing and to exercise personal hygiene. He also urged those above the age of 65 to avoid crowded places and to protect themselves.
- Nine planes, 1600 passengers
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Heart (problems) are more lethal than the pandemic
Dr Hasan Birtan, Deputy Chief Physician at the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital said 234 open heart surgeries and nearly 2,500 angiograms were carried out at the cardiology department in 2019. Moreover, two heart transplantation operations and ten artificial heart operations were carried out in the past year.
- Five cases in the north – Turkish Cypriot health ministry said 889 tests were carried out on Saturday. Test results for one passenger who arrived from Turkey came back positive, bringing the total number of active cases in the north to five.
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Shopkeepers shut themselves in their homes
More and more shopkeepers in Nicosia’s Arasta pedestrian shopping area (near Lokmacı/Ledra Street) are shutting down their businesses. The area is experiencing its worst crisis since the crossing point in the area opened up in 2004. The stop in the flow of tourists has brought shopkeepers to the brink of ruin. Those who are still open warn that they will too have to declare bankruptcy soon if no measures are taken. The shopkeepers who visited the authorities, including President Mustafa Akıncı, said that there will no economic life in the area if tourists don’t visit.
- Crew numbers increased –Greek Cypriot authorities raise daily testing capacity at airports to 1500.
- He is a hero – Former UN peacekeeper from Sweden Lindh who helped Turkish Cypriots when attacks by Greek Cypriots intensified was awarded honorary membership after 56 years.
A new case every day
After zero cases for 75 days, we now have five positive cases in four days since 1 July. Turkish Cypriot health minister Ali Pilli said 889 tests were conducted on Saturday. He added the positive case is a Turkish national who arrived in the north by plane. Pilli also warned the people especially those above 65, should refrain from going to crowded places.
- Positive cases caused concern – President Mustafa Akıncı emphasized the importance of managing the reopening process in light of scientific data and with a health-focused approach.
Main News
Akıncı: Positive cases raising public concern
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
President Mustafa Akıncı on Saturday emphasized the importance of managing the reopening process on the basis of scientific data and with a health-focused approach, several Turkish Cypriot dailies report on Sunday.
In a statement issued from his office on Saturday, Akıncı recalled the people in the north had suffered economically and socially during the lockdown thus making the reopening process vital.
“The health infrastructure in the north must be strengthened and the testing capacity must be increased,” Akıncı said.
He concluded by urging the public to strictly adhere to personal hygiene rules and to the rule on social distancing.
There are now five active coronavirus cases on the fourth day of the reopening process.
Turkish Cypriot health minister Ali Pilli said 889 tests were conducted on Saturday.
He added the positive case is a Turkish national who arrived in the north by plane. Pilli also warned the people especially those above 65, should refrain from going to crowded places.
There had not been a positive case in the north for 75 consecutive days until 1 July.
KTSO says north’s economic woes intensify
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Economy, Internal Security
OVERVIEW
“The economic concerns have been intensified in the north with the lockdown process caused by Covid-19 and the looming uncertainty over the north due to political problems,” Candan Avunduk, head of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry (KTSO) said on Saturday.
Avunduk, addressing members at KTSO’s General Congress on Saturday said the importance of local manufacturing and local employment had become ever more evident during the lockdown process due to problems in imports.
“The government in this light can support the industrialists and the manufacturers by reducing the initial costs,” Avunduk said.
Avunduk noted that the Chamber will continue with the public awareness activities and with its lobbying efforts with the decision-makers.
“The KTSO will continue to work towards overcoming the problems faced by the industrialists and to improve the conditions for production and manufacturing in the north,” Avunduk concluded.
Also on Saturday, Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said it had been difficult to process to focus both on the pandemic and the economy at the same time.
During a meeting with National Unity Party (UBP) supporters in Akdoğan (Lysi), Tatar said the government has successfully managed the pandemic process launching the reopening process.
He said the government now wants to kickstart the economy in collaboration with Turkey.
“It is not possible to be completely isolated from the world. The reopening process is necessary to revive the economy,” Tatar said, adding that necessary measures have been adopted.
He argued that the health infrastructure has been improved to cope with positive cases as well.
“We will revive tourism and the higher education sectors. We will support the business community with new loan schemes and incentives. Our sole priority is to strengthen the north’s economy,” Tatar concluded.