Front Page Headlines
“At a critical threshold”
Doctors battling Covid-19 on the frontlines evaluated the latest figures for Yenidüzen. Alarm bells are ringing following a surge in locally transmitted cases. The number of patients receiving treatment at the 24-bed ICU of the pandemic hospital has risen to eight, one-third of the service ward has filled up.
- 2,500 students without internet or tablets.
- Business circles: “A 15-day full lockdown should be implemented” – No support scheme has been announced for the private sector despite the partial lockdown. The sectors are demanding full lockdown and support.
- Nurses’ union: “We don’t trust the health ministry. We refuse to work at the pandemic hospital, the hospital has no legal documents.”
People in Kyrenia, Güzelyurt (Morphou), Famagusta and İskele (Trikomo) shut themselves home
The lockdown decisions adopted by the Council of Ministers for Nicosia and Kyrenia due to a surge in Covid-19 cases came into force yesterday. Despite no lockdown, most people in Famagusta, İskele (Trikomo) and other areas chose to stay at home.
- Don’t be complacent – A lockdown was in force in the capital as of yesterday but the number of people out on the streets made us question how much we follow the rules.
- 20,000 doses of vaccines to be delivered to the TRNC this morning.
The situation is dire at the Intensive Care Unit
The situation is worsening at the pandemic hospital. It was announced that the number of nurses will not be enough if the number of cases were to increase. The union for nurses and midwives is outraged.
- The streets are empty – Partial lockdown in Kyrenia and Nicosia implemented. Entry and exit from the two towns is prohibited. Special permission is required to travel from one district to another.
- The cases on the rise – Health Minister Ali Pilli drew attention to the increase in locally transmitted cases and the consequences. The Minister announced 52 positive cases yesterday.
- Gradual relaxations in the south – Following a nationwide lockdown in south Cyprus, the measures will be relaxed gradually from February 1 onwards.
Young people in intensive care
The number of cases in North Cyprus has risen to 52; The Doctors’ Association warned that the situation is serious. Head of the Doctors’ Association Dr Özlem Gürkut drew attention to the rising number of coronavirus cases. She pointed out that there was an unprecedented number of young people admitted into intensive care. “The situation is serious,” said Gürkut calling on everyone to adhere to the rules.
- Good news – 20,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines arriving from Turkey today.
Rejected
Even the health ministry has no idea whether or not the newly completed pandemic hospital, built in 45 days, is safe to work in! The Union for Nurses and Mid-Wives refuses to work there… The Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects said they do not know which standards were followed during the construction of the hospital building. There are no official permits, blueprints, persons or company responsible for the building’s construction!
- It is out of control – Dr Nesil Bayraktar said that people who abandoned Nicosia and Kyrenia districts before the lockdown will make it difficult to bring case numbers down.
Main News
Tatar says two-state model important for TCs
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar on Tuesday reiterated the importance of an internationally recognized state for the Turkish Cypriots to ensure a fair, just and sustainable solution on the island.
Delivering the keynote speech at a webinar organised by the Council of Turkish Cypriots’ Association (CTCA) in the UK, Tatar noted that the two communities on the island have been governed by their respective administrations under the roof of two separate states.
“We want sovereign equality on the island with two states with equal international status,” Tatar stressed.
He said that despite the goodwill demonstrated by the Turkish Cypriot side, all past negotiations processes had failed due to the Greek Cypriots’ reluctance to share wealth and power with the Turkish Cypriots. Tatar further argued that the solution to be reached on the island must be a two-state solution where both states recognize each other and cooperate.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> TCs must have an internationally recognized state to ensure a fair, just & sustainable solution.
>> The two-state solution must be based on equal sovereignty of the two states with equal international status.
Çavuşoğlu: Ankara is ready for 5+1 meeting
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Wednesday expressed Ankara’s readiness to participate both in a 5+1 informal meeting on Cyprus as well as a regional conference, which will include Turkish Cypriots, to resolve the hydrocarbons issue in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Speaking at an online meeting with his Dutch counterpart Stef Blok during the 8th bilateral Wittenburg Conference, Çavuşoğlu said that Turkey, following a turbulent year of relations and tensions, was ready for renewed dialogue with the EU.
“We believe a genuine Turkey-EU partnership can bring about real changes in vital areas,” Çavuşoğlu said, noting that exploratory talks to solve tensions with Greece had been relaunched.
In the meantime, during the launch ceremony for ‘Strengthening the national capacity in the fight against Covid-19’ in Ankara, EU Ambassador and head of the bloc’s delegation to Turkey Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut said a window of opportunity to restore ties between Turkey and the EU had opened.
He urged both sides to live up to the expectations and not waste the opportunity. Meyer-Landrut underlined that both parties must focus on rebuilding confidence and cooperation. The ambassador also welcomed the launch of exploratory talks between Ankara and Athens.
On the Cyprus issue, Meyer-Landrut said there is a willingness on all sides to resume informal talks under the auspices of the UN towards achieving a comprehensive settlement on the island.
Also speaking during the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs, Faruk Kaymakçı said Ankara was continuing with its goal to set a positive agenda in Turkey-EU relations, noting the tumultuous year clad with problems had been left in the past.
Noting that Turkey wants to develop its relations with the bloc, Kaymakçı added Ankara has identified four priorities – namely the exploratory talks with Greece, the 5+1 informal conference on the solution of the Cyprus problem, resolving the disputes with France, and legislative and democratic reforms in Turkey.
KEY ACTORS
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> Ankara is ready for both the 5+1 informal meeting & a regional conference, with the participation of TCs to resolve the hydrocarbons issue.
>> Ankara is ready for a renewed dialogue with the EU.
>> Turkey-EU partnership can bring about real changes in vital areas.
Meyer-Landrut (EU)
>> Both sides should not waste window of opportunity to restore ties between Turkey & the EU.
Kaymakcı (Turkey MFA)
>> Turkey wants to develop its relations with the bloc in line with its positive agenda.
>> Exploratory talks, 5+1 meeting on Cyprob, resolving the disputes with France & legislative & democratic reforms are Ankara’s top priority.
North records highest daily coronavirus cases
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
The north on Wednesday saw its highest number of daily Covid-19 cases since the pandemic outbreak in March last year.
As of Wednesday evening, 52 cases, 42 of which were locally transmitted, were reported, bringing the total number of Covid-19 patients being treated at the newly completed pandemic hospital in Nicosia and isolation hotels to 321. There are currently eight patients receiving treatment in ICU.
The numbers came on the first day of a partial lockdown in Kyrenia and Nicosia where the highest number of local cases have been seen recently. Despite the lockdown, it was observed that traffic in both cities was busy mainly because many sectors had been granted an exception from the bans and because of confusion over which sectors were allowed to operate.
Despite roadblocks at major arteries, there were reports that the police were unable to implement the lockdown effectively. Many also complained that the authorities failed to respond on time to their SMS texts for permission to leave their homes.
The Turkish Cypriot Chambers of Commerce and Industry have both called for a nationwide lockdown, expressing the view that the partial lockdown will not be successful in curbing case numbers. Both chambers argued that the partial lockdown will make things worse for the economy in the long run as it was impossible to talk about the economy if the case numbers continued to run.
Doctors on Wednesday warned that the health services dealing with Covid-19 were on the brink of collapse due to the alarming rise in cases. Experts in the north warned that the virus was progressing more aggressively and that the pandemic services would soon start losing the fight if cases continued to come in at the current rate.
Head of the Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Association Dr Özlem Gürkut said that they were alarmed by the number of young patients who were experiencing serious symptoms despite not having any underlying health conditions. She called on the public to adhere to measures and to avoid physical contact.
Meanwhile, it was reported that the second batch of 20,000 Sinovac vaccines from Turkey will be arriving in the north on Thursday morning via ambulance plane. The news was announced by Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar in a written statement issued late on Wednesday night. Tatar said he had undertaken an initiative and spoken with Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca for the delivery of the vaccines.