The bicommunal technical committee on health convened recently and discussed issues related to the EU digital covid certificate and how the Turkish Cypriots could issue it.

Greek Cypriot co-chair Leonidas Phylactou told the Cyprus News Agency that they explained the procedure to obtain the certificate and the fact that those interested should forward all the information available so that the necessary data is put on a portal. He said that many Turkish Cypriots had shown an interest in obtaining the certificate and hoped that the information is forwarded the soonest.

Phylactou also said that on Tuesday, 40,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines, 10,000 Pfizer and 1,000 J&J were delivered to the Turkish Cypriot community via the Ayios Dhometios crossing point.

As regards movement at the crossings, he said there was an automated procedure which is assessed every 14 days according to the epidemiological figures and based on the fact that the measures for crossing were modified if needed.

Meanwhile, reports in the north on Wednesday said their ‘foreign ministry’ was taking action with the British government to have the north’s vaccine certificates recognised by the UK.

The UK wants vaccine certificates to come from a recognised health system and since the ‘TRNC’ is an unrecognised state, Turkish Cypriots, especially students have been having difficulties with travel to Britain.

According to the reports, the ‘foreign ministry’ is taking all the necessary steps to resolve the problem and to “avoid the victimisation of Turkish Cypriots”.