Front Page Headlines
Looser measures premiere, market numb
Only two imported cases yesterday, on alert for control of situation. Owners dissapointed by first day of shops back in service, and citizens are cautious. Scientists advise for observance of health rules so that positive trend is not reversed.
- Checkpoints: Closed and we’ll see
Numb restart
Retail and construction operated in new state of affairs, but with problems. Traffic increased, but for most there was little action at the cash register. Effort to start with sales.
- Ankara an undisturbed pirate in the EEZ
- 650 million tenders for EuroAfrica Interconnector
- Signs in churches to maintain distance
Sloppiness in all its glory
Syllabus that was not taught in classes to be in exams. Unanswered concerns over safety and health. POED (teacher’s union): There are not enough classes or teachers.
- President betrayed by his “friends”… The 50 respirators never arrived (from Israel)
Emerging out of hibernation
Cyprus tentatively reopens for business amid dire warnings to follow the rules.
Life flows again
Streets again full after 50 days of inactivity. Restart: Public sector, shops and construction sites started again. There was no lack of small problems, infractions and reports by police. Beaches: Despite the relatively cloudy weather, many were at the beaches from the break of dawn to take a dip or even to fish. Churches: Reopened for prayer and many faithful rushed to light a candle and kiss the icons.
- Occupied areas: Reactions to Turkey’s stopping transmission of T/C Diyalog TV
Main News
Life slowly restarts as number of new cases continues to drop dramatically
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Internal Security, Human Rights, CBMs
OVERVIEW
Tuesday’s coverage focuses on the gradual reopening of society in the government controlled areas after the partial lifting of some of the measures against the spread of the coronavirus. Newspapers report that an increased number of people ventured outside their homes but that shopowners found that customers were still cautious.
The government’s experts announced that only two new cases,
out of a total of 1,490 people tested, were detected in the government controlled areas on Monday. The total number of cases is now at 874. In the north no new cases were detected on Monday, while limits on movement during the daytime have been lifted.
Newspapers also report that on Monday the Health Ministry began testing workers in the retail and construction sectors. About 14,000 retail workers (mainly cashiers) and about 6,000 construction workers are set to be tested by May 25th.
The dailies also report on statements made by the commander of the Sovereign Base Areas, Rob Thomson, regarding the situation in Dhekelia and Akrotiri. Thomson told the Cyprus News Agency that the SBAs have been following the RoC’s measures to the letter. He also noted that more than 400 inhabitants of the SBAs were tested by the Institute of Neurology and Genetics and that there has been no new case since April 1st.
Alithia and Philelftheros cite a report by Afrika according to which 1,500 Turkish soldiers will be arriving to the north in the next few days. The soldiers are not going to be quarantined by the T/C authorities but by the Turkish military, it is also reported.
Both sides silent on when checkpoints will fully reopen
Alithia, Haravgi, Politis
Economy, CBMs, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Politis reports that both the government of the Republic of Cyprus as well as the T/C “government” have made no mention of checkpoints in their respective plans for gradual loosening up of other measures against the coronavirus.
The newspaper notes that the T/Cs have announced that starting May 15th, non-citizens of the “TRNC” will be able to once again enter the north. However this statement concerns any entry to the north (including ports and airports) and not only the checkpoints.
Politis points out that the Cypriot government has made no comment regarding the issue, and tha the government’s plans do not mention the four checkpoints which were closed after February 28th.
The newspaper points out that the government is acting on the basis of polling that shows G/Cs approve of the temporary closure of some checkpoints due to the coronavirus. However, the report notes that due to the economic situation it should not be surprising if there’s a gradual reopening in the next few days.
Politis recalls that the RoC closed four of the checkpoints on February 28th and that the T/C “government” followed suit by closing two checkpoints on March 12th, before closing all checkpoints for non-T/Cs on March 20th.
In another development, Alithia reports that European Commissioner for Transport, Aldina Valean, has said the EU is not responsible for stopping travel agents in Europe from offering travel packages for the areas in Cyprus that are outside the effective control of the government.
Valean was replying to a written question by EDEK (S&D) MEP Demetris Papadakis concerning the practice of travel agents selling tourism packages for the occupied areas. Valean also said that what the EU does do is combat misleading adversiting regarding tourism offers. She also added that the EU supports the reunification negotiations process.
Meanwhile, Haravgi reports that the group of about 2,000 Turkish Cypriots that live in the north but work in the construction sector in the south and had requested for the government to take their cases into account, are now asking the T/C administration to allow them to cross to the south so that they can work.
Haravgi points out that the employers of these T/C workers have told them that they will need to return to their work now that construction sites are open, otherwise they will have to hire others in their place.
TOTAL – ENI confirm postponment of drillings for 2021
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Energy, Economy, External Security, Regional/ International Relations, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
French company TOTAL and Italian company ENI have confirmed reports and speculations by officially informing the Cypriot government that they will also be postponing scheduled drillings until 2021, Alithia and Haravgi report.
The two companies informed the Energy Ministry that drillings that had been scheduled to take place in the Cypriot EEZ during 2020 will be postponed due to the global pandemic. The Energy Ministry reportedly considers the fact that drillings were not outright cancelled a positive development.
Haravgi recalls that TOTAL and ENI were planning to begin joint drillings in plot 6 later this year and continue with another two targets in the Cypriot EEZ. The newspaper also notes that American company ExxonMobil also prostponed two drillings that had been scheduled to take place this April in plot 10.
Phileleftheros reports that Turkey is pleased by this development, citing a report by the Turkish state Anadolu agency. Anadolu reports that Turkey continues its hydrocarbon exploration despite the pandemic.
Technical Committee on Education to work against cyberbullying
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi
CBMs
OVERVIEW
The bicommunal Technical Committee on Education is working to create a bicommunal programme to combat cyberbullying, Haravgi reports citing statements by the committee’s G/C head Mihalinos Zembylas to the Cyprus News Agency.
Zembylas said that the programme will focus on preventing and combating cyberbullying and bullying in general. He also said that as part of this programme, the Technical Committee aims to contribute to training teachers to detect such cases among their students.
Zembylas said that the pandemic had slowed down programmes and iniatives such as the “Imagine” programme for teachers and students and led to the postponment of scheduled seminars, but that he is in constant communication with the T/C head of the committee, Meltem Onurkan Samani.
He added that other efforts, such as the preparation of syllabuses for intercultural education, human rights education and peace education are continuing, as well as the development of educational material on racism, gender discrimination, public health, fake news and other topics.
Zembylas mentioned that one of the programmes that are being prepared involves bringing together parents from both communities for talks on issues of common interest as well as walks.