Coronavirus: Pilli says north lockdown will stem surge in cases

Ali Pilli, the north’s ‘health minister’, said that the lockdown will help stem the surge of coronavirus cases – but he also criticised the mass movement of people.

He said that as of Wednesday morning a further 20 cases had been identified, following 38 the previous day, but expects the measures to yield results within a week.

Turkish Cypriot authorities imposed a lockdown in Nicosia and Kyrenia for a week and 14 days respectively in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus in the breakaway north of the island.

Pilli criticised the mass movement of people prior to the lockdown measures being enforced. He said that the exodus from Nicosia and Kyrenia to Famagusta, Trikomo and Karpasia – which do not have restrictions during the day – will inevitably lead to an “explosion” of cases.

The “mayor” of Yialousa told local media that a surge of people entered the village and called on permanent residents to be careful and adhere to the health protocols.

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar meanwhile said that the measures are necessary, emphasising that if they are not imposed the health and economy of the north will suffer even more.

Tatar is also reportedly satisfied with the 20,000 vaccines to have so far arrived from Turkey and the 2,250 from the EU through the republic.

Of Tuesday’s 38 cases, 34 were local transmissions and were identified after 3,665 tests were carried out. Kyrenia accounted for 14 cases, with another 14 in Famagusta – which until now had not recorded a particularly high number, followed by nine in Nicosia.

As of Wednesday morning, the total number of positives detected in the north stands at 2,109, with 89 at the referral hospital, six in serious condition, 188 in quarantine facilities and 14 deaths.

Movement was banned in the two areas from midnight Tuesday while a movement ban across the north will be in place between January 29 and February 1.

Schools will remain closed between Wednesday and February 10, with lessons delivered remotely. Kindergartens and special education will be exempted.

Turkish Cypriot authorities were forced to take drastic measures as the number of infections kept rising, especially in Nicosia and Kyrenia.

Supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations, bakeries, butcher shops, and other outlets selling foodstuffs will remain open during the lockdown. Restaurants can only do takeaway or delivery. Agriculture, farming and construction will remain open.

Entry and exit into and from Nicosia and Kyrenia are also banned, with some exceptions. All other areas will observe a curfew between 8pm and 5am, starting Wednesday. This will be in place until February 3.

People living in the north and travelling to the government-controlled areas for medical reasons will be able to do so without having to quarantine but they must display a negative PCR test done in the past three days. They will also undergo tests on the seventh and fourteenth days from the date they visited a doctor in the Republic.

Trade across the Green Line will continue without the need of quarantine where there is no contact.

Ambulance crossings from the Kato Pyrgos-Limnitis checkpoint will continue unimpaired.

People living in the mixed village of Pyla who work in the north should have a negative test taken within the past 72 hours. UN, EU and British bases personnel will also need to show a negative test taken within the past 72 hours.

Turkish Cypriots working in the government-controlled areas will have to quarantine upon return as will those living in the government-controlled areas and working in the north.

Pergamos residents with agricultural and farming activities inside the British bases will not need to quarantine.

Funerals will only be attended by first degree relatives, while weddings, training, parties, etc, have been banned. House visits and contacts between people who are outside the core of a family have also been prohibited.

The situation will be reviewed on February 2.