Turkey has provided 72 million Turkish Lira ($11 million) in financial aid for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to help fight the coronavirus pandemic, the Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay announced on Saturday.
On Twitter, Oktay also said that the Turkish authorities are continuing to work to help the TRNC with a package similar to the economic measures package announced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan this week.
Oktay said Turkey will always continue to support the TRNC.
The virus, which emerged in Wuhan, China last December, has spread to at least 167 countries and regions around the globe, while the tally of confirmed cases almost topped 278,000, according to data compiled by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.
The global death toll has neared 12,000, causing a chain reaction as governments place countries on lock-down to stem the spread.
The pandemic has brought major cities across the world to a standstill sending stocks plunging and businesses facing huge losses.
The police continue to patrol all districts as part of the measures against the coronavirus outbreak and have taken action against those who did not comply with the rules.
Due to the prohibition imposed by the Forestry Commission against having picnics or barbecues in the picnic areas, precautions were taken by cordoning off picnic areas, putting up signs or closing the entrance gates and these places were inspected throughout the day.
Despite recent warnings against group meetings and sports events to try and stem the spread of the coronavirus, two groups determined to play football on the Yusuf Kaptan field were warned off and dispersed.
Ignoring directives to maintain social distancing, at Kyrenia Old Harbour members of the public were who were wandering about were told by the police to leave the harbour. Those found having picnics in Karmi and Boğazköy were warned and told to go home.
Deputy PM and FM Kudret Ozersay
Deputy Prime Minister Kudret Özersay announced on Sunday, that as of midnight on Sunday, a partial curfew will come into force for 14 days. The exceptions are essential visits to the supermarket, hospital, pharmacy, bank and petrol station.
Within this context, some private and public institutions can continue their work, observing the measures they have taken so far, “The public will be banned from visiting, home visiting, sightseeing, picnics, training outdoors and so on”, Özersay stated.
Three new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) have been discovered in North Cyprus.
Health Minister Ali Pilli said that all three are TRNC citizens. Two of whom had been in contact with the TRNC citizen who tested positive for the virus on arrival from the UK.
The total number of coronavirus cases in North Cyprus had risen to 38.
Meanwhile 11 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the south. So far, there are 95 cases of the disease in South Cyprus; two of whom could be discharged from hospital pending a second test.
The first case was diagnosed in the south on March 9 and the first in the TRNC was diagnosed on March 10 after a 65 year-old German tourist complained of fever and was transferred to Nicosia State Hospital. Consequently 12 other German tourists from the same group also tested positive.
The total number of cases of coronavirus – COVID-19 in North Cyprus has risen to 40. Another TRNC citizen has tested positive for virus.
Health Minister Ali Pilli stated that one person had tested positive in the evening. That person in question had been in contact with a TRNC citizen who had been in the UK and returned infected with the coronavirus.
A partial curfew will be imposed in south Cyprus, President Anastasiades announced last night.
The partial curfew comes into force as of 6pm this evening and will continue until April 13.
The following rules, similar to those in the north, are as follows –
Parks, playgrounds, sports fields, squares, beaches, etc. all places are closed.
All places, except supermarkets, pharmacies and other exemption sites, will suspend their activities.
Sales on the street, public markets, bazaars etc. all places will be closed.
Citizens cannot enter churches, mosques or places of worship.
The fire traditionally lit by Christians called ‘lampraça’, which is gathered and lit by young people before the religious holidays, is also prohibited.
The total number of cases of the new type of Coronavirus (Covid-19), which emerged in Wuhan, China and spread all over the world, especially in Europe, is 166 across the whole of Cyprus. Covid-19 caused a total of three deaths on the island, all in the south. While 124 cases have appeared in the south of the island so far, the number of cases in the north has been recorded as 42.
The first case in the south was diagnosed on March 9, and in the north on March 10, in a 65-year-old tourist from Germany.
Meanwhile, the Police announced that 54 people had violated the curfew yesterday. These persons were arrested and legal proceedings were initiated against them.
In tests conducted today in North Cyprus, two more cases of the coronavirus were found. The total number in the north has reached 42.
At Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Nicosia, 13 cases are still being treated, none of these patients needed intensive care or respiratory support. Their treatment continues as normal, it was stated.
South Cyprus
Two more people have died in south Cyprus from the coronavirus. eight new cases have been announced.
Fever and Cough Polyclinic Opened
A polyclinic dedicated to attending to fevers and coughs has opened at Nicosia State Hospital. Opening hours are between 8.30am and 10pm. The clinic will be open 7 days a week.
From now on, citizens who have complaints of fever and cough are specifically requested to visit that clinic.
The owner of Iktisat Bank, Mete Ozmerter has flown testing kits and medicine from Turkey to North Cyprus, piloting his own private plane.
Osmerter brought over 2000 rapid diagnosis tests and hundreds of medications. Making a statement at the airport, he said that he would go to Turkey daily to transport drugs if needed. This is the second time this businessman has flow in medicines to North Cyprus from Ankara in recent days.
In addition, businessmen Halil and Hussni Faliali said they have purchased 2,500 rapid diagnostic testing kits for coronavirus, paying $ 50,000. Fiali reported that the testing kits were transported from Turkey by Mr Ozmerter in his private plane.
President Mustafa Akıncı has announced that fake accounts have been opened on social media using his name.
He said the false messages come from a fake Twitter account that has the letter ‘i’ missing from the word ‘official’ which he has use of on his own account.
Akıncı stated that publishing fake messages and answers from the fake Twitter account, even at such a time, is motivated by political interest.
“I am really sorry that I had to make such a statement at this time,” said he said.
A British couple who were kept in quarantine at a hotel in Famagusta have learned that they will be able to fly back to the UK on Monday.
Linda and Grant Gibson were placed in quarantine at the Salamis Bay Conti Hotel after another guest had tested positive for the coronavirus.
They were told that that all flights would cease three days before the end of their 14 day quarantine period. The couple were given a certificate stating that they are do not have the coronavirus.
The couple have been anxious to get home because they are responsible for looking after an elderly relative and their dog is also being cared for at the moment.
The Gibsons contacted the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the British High Commission, as well as Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins and Ashford MP Damian Green, asking for help to get them home.
The couple were delighted to learn that they had been granted special permission to cross to the south and will fly by Easy Jet from Larnaca back the UK on Monday, 30 March 30.
Mr Gibson, 65, said: “We’re absolutely ecstatic that a flight home has been sorted. It will nearly be a month that we’ve been here.
“But we are also very anxious that something will happen, that it will be suspended“.
Five new cases of the coronavirus-Covid-19 were discovered in North Cyprus on Wednesday, bringing the total number up to 47.
Health minister Ali Pilli announced that there were three new cases, in addition to the two found earlier in the day.
Tests had been carried out on staff and police at the Salamis Hotel which remains under quarantine and three tested positive. Further test results for the police are expected today.
Meanwhile, the condition of two German tourists, who were the first to test positive for the virus, has deteriorated. Both who are elderly patients, one is 80, the other 90 years of age, are in the intensive care unit at Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Nicosia. Both patients are on ventilators.
The health minister said that 15 TRNC citizens have now been infected. Of the remainder one is a Turkmen, and 31 are German tourists.
Applications to the Immovable Property Commission- IPC have been postponed until the next government announcement due to the partial curfew imposed to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
President of the Immovable Property Commission Ayfer Said Erkmen, said that within the framework of the Council of Ministers’ decision to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which turned into a global epidemic, on the 14th of March 2020 and the partial curfew of 22 March 2020, the Real Estate Commission reported that applications were postponed from 16 March until the next government announcement.
Prime Minister Ersin Tatar announced on Wednesday evening the government’s economic measures and support package to deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the TRNC economy.
Announcing the 33-point austerity package at a press conference at the Prime Ministry, Tatar said that the measures adopted will create 1.5bn Turkish Lira in revenues needed to mitigate the economic impact of the crisis.
Tatar, summariSing the various measures in place, said that all the decisions adopted by the government were aimed at ensuring the health of the public.
“The measures we have adopted are aimed at this. Of course, these measures will have economic consequences. That is economic activity has been severely restricted,” he said.
According to the measures, all public-sector salaries above 5,000 TL will be slashed by 25 per cent for a period of three months.
No cuts will be made to salaries lower that 5,000TL
Those who receive a salary of 6,000TL and lower will have a 16 per cent cut.
He added that the highest public-sector salary will not exceed 8,500 TL and that the Prime Minister, ministers, MPs and other high ranking public servants will take cuts up to 56 per cent.
The salaries of public servants who have been carrying out essential services will not be touched, the Prime Minister said.
A fund will also be created from 100m TL resources to be obtained by banks.
The cost-of-living raise given to public servants twice a year will also be frozen from March 2020 to June 2020.
Other austerity measures will include cutting down on overtime payments and other extra expenditures.
All state contributions made to public institutions, municipalities and political parties will also be slashed by 25 per cent on the condition to be paid at a future date.
Tatar said that the government will be allocating 750m TL to support the real sector.
Businesses which close their establishments as part of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, should they be unable to pay their due rent, will be given the option to postpone payments to June and to pay their overdue rent in instalments within six months.
Special loan and donation schemes will be made available for farmers and animal breeders inorder to address any problems which may arise in production.
The state will cover the interest charged for bank loans of businesses which shut shop due to the outbreak and which will apply to postpone their instalment payments.
Legal arrangements will also be made to allow banks to raise credit card limits of customers by 25 per cent without requiring proof of income.
Moreover, customers will be able to postpone payment of their credit card bills used between March 26, 2020, and April 26, 2020, to purchase food and fuel or cover health expenses for a month without being charged any interest.
The state will also be paying all TRNC and Turkish citizen employees of private establishments closed as part of coronavirus pandemic, a salary contribution of 1,500TL through the Employment Support Fund to ensure that the businesses continue to operate without having to lay-off employees.
Taxes levied on tobacco products and alcoholic beverages will also be raised.
Withholding tax on interest on Turkish Lira income will also be raised to 15 per cent.
Other measures include postponing the payment of social security deposits, provident fund payments, creating development schemes and state contribution payments to various sectors.
Permission to leave your home must now be obtain from the police through WhatsApp, the Police Press Officer has announced. Application can be made at your local police station but to avoid congestion and contact with others you can use WhatsApp.
WhatsApp message lines for the police are as follows:
0548 811 0155
0548 811 0156
0548 811 0157
0548 811 0158
The statement said after the declaration regarding measures to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) by the Council of Ministers, it has been pointed out that the persons who are under curfew must apply to the police for permission.
In order to reduce the risk of spreading the virus in the police stations, prevent crowding and reduce contact, these permission applications will be received via WhatsApp established by the General Directorate of Police.
Those who want to apply for permission through WhatsApp message lines; will be able to apply to one of the above numbers on condition that they give their identity card/passport number and the purpose of their excursion outdoors.
Permission applications from via WhatsApp can be made between 06.00 – 18.00 on weekdays,
On Saturdays, it will be accepted between 07.00 – 13.00.
No written document will be given to those who apply for permission through WhatsApp. The police will respond to your request on the same number as to whether valid permission has been granted.
Apart from these, those who wish will also be able to apply for permission by applying to police stations in person.
The Turkish Red Crescent delegation has donated medical equipment and food parcels to the Turkish Crescent North Cyprus in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus.
According to a statement from the Turkish Red Crescent, 30,000 surgical masks, 30,000 gloves, 3,000 N149 masks and 300 special protective masks were donated. In addition, about 1,000 packages of packaged foods and essentials were prepared and will be delivered Monday to the Turkish Cypriot Red Crescent to be distributed to those in need.
Local councils have lashed out at the government decision to cut 25 per cent of their budgets. The government has implemented cost saving measures in a bid to mitigate the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Municipalities and their employees, who are not counted as ‘essential services’, are considering strike action.
Pointing out that the 28 municipalities are working for the health of the public. the mayors argued that the 25 percent cut was not the right decision.
Emphasising that both the municipal employees, they themselves and their families are at great risk, the mayors argued that all municipalities are on the streets 24/7 supporting their local areas.
The local mayors stated that after the government’s decision, all municipalities were rising up and that strike action was at the door if this decision was not revoked.
Mustafa Yalinkaya
Head of the Municipal Workers Union Mustafa Yalınkaya, argued that the government remained in the classroom, and that he was focusing on supporting the workers.
Stating that a 25 percent cut to local council funding will create chaos in a crisis environment, Yalınkaya said, “The issue we focus on after this decision is not the money but the health of the public. Our priority is to protect our people with better services during these difficult days. This decision to cut our budget will indirectly challenge the mobility of the municipalities.
“Health workers, police officers have been applauded by everyone, and municipal employees, who are working to provide the best service to the people during these difficult days have been ignored. The unsung heroes of the people are municipal employees. Worldwide, all kinds of support is given to municipalities, while our government is doing its best to hit those who are in the middle.”
Akdogan Mayor – Ahmet Latif
Akdogan Mayor Ahmet Latif stated that the municipality has been fighting the state for 20 days without any financial resources.
Latif said, “During this crisis, Akdoğan Municipality did its best in this struggle with its own resources even though no government officials had any idea, suggestions, solutions or financial contribution to make. I hope that the UBP-HP government, which deems it appropriate to make a 25 percent cut as a reward to all the municipal staff who undertakecontinuously their duties regardless of their working hours, reverse the decision.”
Lapta Mayor – Mustafa Aktug
Lapta Mayor Mustafa Aktuğ argued that the decision was wrong and that all municipalities alike, have been on duty for 24/7 in the streets for the last 20 days.
Aktuğ said, “A wrong decision was made. Lapta Municipality has been on the streets 24/7 for 20 days, so that our people will not be in a difficult situation and our elderly can get service without going out on the streets. Our workers ignored all the risks, and the 25 percent cut has damaged the morale and motivation of the workers. We will never accept this cut. We try to provide the best service to the region with our staff, without any contribution from the state. We provide our employees’ daily with overalls, masks, gloves without any help. After the 25 percent deduction decision, we have registered our reaction and today (yesterday) work has been stopped. Lapta Municipality is not working today, there has been incoming aid, we asked for help from AKUT to distribute it. We take all kinds of precautions in the context of combating the epidemic, We are one of the first to call our elderly not to leave the house from the first day. In this way, we are not happy to leave work on such difficult times.”
Four new cases of the coronavirus have been discovered in the Dipkarpaz region in Yenierenköy and Sipahi village, a Ministry of Health statement said.
On social media, muhtar of Sipahi village Göksal Hacıhasanoğlu said that access to Dipkarpaz, Sipahi and Yeni Erenköy villages has been prohibited as they have have been put into quarantine.
Entry to and exit from Dipkarpaz, Sipahi and Yeni Erenköy villages has been banned. All roads to these villages were closed yesterday evening.
Including the latest cases, the number of cases of coronavirus has increased to 61 in North Cyprus.
A full street curfew has been declared for seven days in several villages in the Karpaz area.
According the announcement made by the government, all residents of Ziyamet, Balalan, Esenköy, Yeşilköy, Gelincik, Boltaşlı, Derince, Taşlıca, Avtepe, Adaçay, Yenierenköy, Sipahi, Kuruova, Kaleburnu, Dipkarpaz will not be allowed to go out of their homes as of 2 pm on Friday for seven days a part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Only those with permission from Iskele District Governorship may leave. Anyone else found breaking the curfew faces criminal prosecution.
Young businessman Orkun Altınbaş has donated provided 500 food parcels to North Nicosia Municipality, to be delivered to the sick, elderly and needy people who cannot leave their homes during the coronavirus pandemic.
Orkun Altınbaş said: “Everybody should have a sense of solidarity and unity in the difficult days we are in, and I will be ready to give all kinds of support both personally and on behalf the Altınbaş group so that these difficult days can be overcome”.
Turkey has provided 72 million Turkish Lira ($11 million) in financial aid for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to help fight the coronavirus pandemic, the Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay announced on Saturday.
