Coronavirus: Pyrgos bears the brunt again after new measures in north

The Turkish Cypriot authorities announced on Monday that only ambulances will be allowed to use the Kato Pyrgos/Limnitis crossing point while everyone else will be subject to quarantine.

This was among the latest measures announced from the Turkish Cypriot side as a means of further restricting the spread of the coronavirus after a rise in local cases in the north.

Only ambulances can cross through the Kato Pyrgos/Limnitis crossing to transfer patients. Others wishing to cross through that crossing are subject to quarantine. Residents of the Tylliria region use the Limnitis crossing point to travel to Nicosia as it is much faster compared other routes.

People receiving treatment in the south can cross without being subject to quarantine, but they and their escorts must present negative coronavirus PCR tests not older than 72 hours upon their return to the north. In addition, upon their return to the north, they must undergo PCR tests on the seventh and fourteenth days of their entry.

Pupils and students living in the north but studying in the south and their parents are subject to quarantine until January 10. The same applies for people living in the north and working in the south and people living in the south and working in the north.

People working in the UN, EU, British bases, in the buffer zone and the Committee on Missing Persons can enter the north without quarantine provided they submit negative PCR test results not older than 72 hours. The same applies for people residing or working in Pyla.

The curfew between 10pm and 5am has been lifted but the restriction on gatherings of not more than 10 people in houses has been extended to January 10.

Food and beverage businesses such as cafes, restaurants, confectionaries but also betting shops, hairdresser salons, barber shops and beauty parlours, must close by 10pm while people working in such businesses must take PCR tests every 14 days. Restaurants may offer take away and delivery services after 10 pm.

Taverns, massage parlours, bars, clubs and similar entertainment venues will remain closed until January 10.

The ban on all events such as weddings, cinema, theatre, birthdays, religious services, engagements, exhibitions etc was also extended until January 10.

Only first-degree relatives can attend funerals while sports matches can be held without spectators.

Authorities also urged people in high-risk groups, healthcare workers and police officers whose services are essential, to not participate in collective activities in their social lives and pay maximum attention to observing the personal protection measures.