Coronavirus: EU pass procedures for vaccinated Turkish Cypriots announced

The government is expected to announce on Tuesday the e-mail address through which Turkish Cypriots vaccinated against Covid-19 who plan to travel abroad can obtain an EU Digital Covid Certificate.

In his statements to the CyBC on Monday, government spokesman Marios Pelekanos said the e-mail address targets only those who will travel and received a European approved vaccine, AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer and Jansen. CyBC said Sputnik and Sinovac are also accepted.

The vaccinated Turkish Cypriots will also be required to present their flight ticket, Pelekanou said.

According to the spokesman, the arrangement was decided after Turkish Cypriot authorities refused to provide the state with the personal information of the Turkish Cypriots who plan to travel.

Turkish Cypriots currently face problems as regards travel abroad since the vaccination certificates issued by the north are not widely accepted with many students studying in the UK having to quarantine upon arrival.

Moves to facilitate travel for vaccinated Turkish Cypriots started earlier this month, with deputy government spokesperson Niovi Parisinou saying this arrangement will be temporary and valid until August 31.

Alternative solutions were being evaluated in collaboration with the bicommunal technical committee on health, she said.

The EU Digital Covid Certificate Regulation, which entered into application on July 1,2021, facilitates free movement inside the EU during the pandemic. It is digital proof that a person has been vaccinated against the coronavirus or have tested negative to Covid-19 or have recovered from the virus, the European Commission website reads.