Ozersay calls for checkpoints to open

Former ‘foreign minister’ in the north and chairman of the People’s Party Kudret Ozersay on Monday called for the checkpoints to open for 12 hours a day to people with a negative PCR test taken no longer than 24 hours prior.

“We can reopen crossings without it being a danger for anyone’s health,” he said in a post on his Facebook.

“Should they be allowed to reopen, we will witness the return of a significant amount of visitors, which will undoubtedly help our businesses.”

Ozersay said the administration in the north has repeatedly, albeit unsuccessfully tried to work with the Cyprus government regarding the safe reopening of crossings and called on both sides to find a solution at the Geneva informal meeting on Cyprus scheduled to take place on April 27-29.

He said the temporary permission to cross to the north would only be valid for a maximum of 12 hours.

“Our best health officials are evaluating the proposal and, if approved, it will have a very positive effect on our economy,” he added.

Ozersay on Sunday told media in the north that “without solving the issue of crossings, there is no point in holding an informal conference in Geneva.”

He added that the two leaders Nicos Anastasiades and Ersin Tatar should make a joint statement saying that both sides will allow the crossings to be reopened as soon as the conditions allow it.

There were 60 cases of coronavirus recorded in the north on Sunday and 470 in the Republic.