TCC Press Review 27 Aug 2021

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

Political wreckage

It was first announced that non-vaccinated persons would have to pay for PCR or rapid tests however, a decision stating that everyone will have to pay for PCR or rapid tests was published in the official gazette. The Minister of Health who is also a member of the cabinet objected to the decision, stating that such a decision could not be implemented. He said he would work to change it. Prime Minister Ersan Saner announced that fully vaccinated persons will be required to renew their tests every 21 days while non-vaccinated persons will be required to repeat their tests every seven days. However, there was no change in the decision to charge everyone for the tests.

Kıbrıs

Outraged with the decision to charge people for tests

The Council of Ministers decided to charge everyone for PCR and rapid antigen tests, starting from September 1 to ensure sustainability for public finances. In this respect, PCR tests will cost ₺100 (€10) and antigen tests ₺40 (€4). The “AdaPass” pilot implementation will also be launched in (north) Nicosia today. Moreover, given the latest measures, mandatory testing is introduced for the workers of various sectors meaning they will have to pay for their PCR and/or antigen tests. People were outraged with the decision to charge people for tests. They said: “We can barely make ends meet. How are we expected to pay for the tests?” The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry (KTSO) said: “The decision will cause chaos, resulting in higher costs.” Members of some political parties said: “Those who do not have money will not be tested. This is a new threat to public’s health.”

Havadis

PCR scandal

National Unity Party (UBP) leader and Prime Minister Ersan Saner had announced after Monday’s cabinet meeting that unvaccinated individuals would have to pay for their PCR and rapid tests. However, the Prime Minister then signed the decision requiring everyone to be charged for their Covid-19 tests. The Prime Minister in his statement on Monday deceived the public by saying that the decision was taken to encourage people to get vaccinated however the decision published in the official gazette revealed another story.

  • “Who benefited from the money-laundering decree?” Social Democratic Party (TDP) leader Cemal Özyiğit asked the government the question everyone wants to have the answer for.

Diyalog

Both a loss of revenue and torture

The system collapsed when the number of inspectors conducting driving tests across the island dropped from ten to four. The fact that the staff shortages are not being addressed is the source of numerous problems for the public. Whether it is the ordinary citizen waiting in line for his/her driving tests or driving instructors, everyone is complaining of the torture of waiting for long hours to take their tests which is an important source of revenue for the state.

Avrupa

Madhouse

The TRNC has turned into a real madhouse…Health Minister Ünal Üstel says one thing, Prime Minister Ersan Saner another…While Saner said people will have to pay for their tests regardless of their vaccination status, Üstel said “This decision cannot be implemented, and the PCR tests will be done for free.”

  • They will fill every corner with a betting officeThe government has gone completely mad…North Cyprus is being transformed into an online casino from one end to the other. If the bill named “Online Chance Games” were to be passed, there will be more than 300 new online betting sites in our community.

Main News

Public outraged over the decision to charge everyone for PCR/rapid tests

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security

OVERVIEW

The decision to charge everyone for PCR and rapid antigen tests in the north has prompted protests, bringing the authorities who previously announced that free testing would continue for the vaccinated, under fire. Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersan Saner on Thursday announced that everyone regardless of their vaccination status would be charged for the Covid-19 diagnostic tests as of September 1.

He said that primary and secondary school pupils as well as those on state assistance would be exempt from any fees. His announcement came hours later after the decision was published in the official gazette.

The decision even came as a shock to Turkish Cypriot health minister Ünal Üstel, who happens to be a member of Saner’s cabinet. Üstel objected to the decision, stating that it was unacceptable and that he would work to change it.

Speaking during a HaberKıbrıs web TV programme, Üstel pointed the finger of blame at Finance Minister Dursun Oğuz, warning that the decision will have serious consequences in terms of managing the pandemic. He added that the health ministry could not approve such a decision.

Former Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı on Thursday argued that charging for PCR and antigen tests would only result in the spread of the coronavirus faster. In a social media post, Akıncı said it is not possible to comprehend the government’s decision to try to save money by placing the public’s health at risk.

Erdoğan Sorakın, General Secretary of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP), also condemned the decision to charge people for tests and stressed the CTP will do anything for the government to reverse its decision.

He also criticized the government, stating that the contradicting positions adopted by members of the same cabinet caused chaos and confusion within the community. Sorakin called on the government to resign without causing any further harm to the Turkish Cypriot community.

People’s Party (HP) MP, molecular biologist and a member of the bicommunal technical committee on health Jale Refik-Rogers also condemned the decision, saying that many were struggling financially because of the pandemic and might not have enough money for the tests.

“This is a new threat to public’s health,” she pointed out, adding that it was the worst possible decision that could be taken at a time when the country was faced with a new wave of cases.

Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry (KTSO) also condemned the decision on Thursday. In a statement issued, the chamber said the government will cause chaos in the private sector with its decision, urging the authorities to revise their decision.

In the meantime, the trial period for the north’s safe pass “Adapass” began on Monday morning.

Persons wishing to enter venues, stores, shops and other businesses will be required to have their digital passes scanned. The QR code-based application will show the vaccination or test status of persons entering indoor areas.

The application will currently only be used in Nicosia. Tourists and Greek Cypriots will be required to show their PCR tests or vaccination cards when entering such venues.

Meanwhile, Akel MEP Niyazi Kızılyürek discussed the problems faced by Turkish Cypriots in the online platform established to obtain a digital vaccination card. In a statement issued from his office, it is noted that Kızılyürek held a meeting with the Greek Cypriot health minister Michalis Hadjipantela on the matter.


More than 200,000 people visited Maraş (Varosha)

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Property, Territory

OVERVIEW

More than 200,000 people have visited the recently opened beachfront of the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha) since giving civilians access to the area from October 8, 2020 onwards.

It is reported that the figure includes both third-country nationals, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

The area is accessible from 8 am to 8 pm and several facilities on public premises within the fenced-off town have been opened since July 20, 2021.


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