Additional Measures for Covid-19

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ministry of Health announced additional Covid-19 measures regarding the recommendations of the High Committee on the Infectious Diseases which met within the scope of the Infectious Diseases Act No. 45/2018

The statement from the Ministry of Health underlined that the country’s health system will soon be unable to cope with the increasing numbers of the Covid-19 cases. Therefore a consensus has been reached that the measures taken were not sufficient and the measures and inspections will be increased.

The measures are as follows;

“It has been decided to extend the lockdown until February 10, 2021, 23:59 hrs.

The rules to be applied are as follows;

1. It has been decided to extend curfew until February 10, 2021, 23:59hrs for the whole day, apart from the exceptions. The permissions to leave home will include the address of residency and work of the applicants to enable efficient inspection.

2. The services which are permitted to remain open are;

– Pharmacies, petrol stations, bakeries, butchers, supermarkets and other businesses which provide essential goods and their suppliers, can remain open between 06:00 and 19:00 (Pharmacies, bakeries and petrol stations will remain open for the whole day). However those working in the abovementioned jobs and sectors should repeat their PCR tests every week and need to present this to the district authorities in order to get permission.

– Only the takeaway services of restaurants will remain open between 06:00 and 23:00. However those working in the sector should repeat their PCR tests every week and need to present this and receive permission from the district authorities.

– The Soil Products Board will continue the sale of animal feed and fodder. Flour factories, the Dairy Corporation and Dairy producers will continue their activities.

– Vehicle rescue services and internet service providers, and

-Private security service providers, and

-Water producers and distributors, and

– Livestock farming, agriculture, construction and food sectors and their suppliers, and

– Mask and personal protective equipment producers will also continue their activities.

During this period, it was decided not to permit open markets.

3- Those who receive permission from district security boards to go to the businesses that are open, should go to the closest business to their residence address.

4. It has been decided to stop all entry and exit between the districts. Police, medical staff, fire-fighters, civil aviation, electricity company, municipal officials, bank employees, press members and journalists (yellow press cardholders) are allowed to travel between cities and in cities with special permits. (except press members) However, those people should show their PCR test made within the last 7 days.

5. Also Ministries and Public Offices will assign minimum officers to prevent the disruption of the public services and they will be allowed to travel between cities and in cities with special permits. Those people should show their PCR test made within the last 7 days.

6. All face-to-face education at public or private pre-schools, primary schools and secondary schools, all training centres, private lessons and course activities will be carried out online. All these, including day-care centres and special needs education institutions, will stop until 17 February 2021.

7. Patients and their attendants residing in Northern Cyprus and receiving medical treatment in Southern Cyprus will be able to enter the TRNC without quarantine. The patient and accompanying persons (if necessary) who will be transferring for health purposes are required to submit negative PCR test results done within the last 3

days upon arrival. In addition, patients and accompanying persons should repeat the PCR tests in the 7th and the 14th day of their returning to the TRNC.

8. Those who do trade under the Green Line Regulation without physical contact are exempt from the quarantine restriction.

9. It has been decided that only ambulances for health purposes can cross the Yeşilırmak Border Gate without quarantine. Other than that, quarantine is required.

10. Due to the lockdown individuals living or working in Pile will be subject to the permission of the county police boards.

11. UN, EU, British Bases, Buffer Zone and Peace Forces employees will be able to enter the TRNC without quarantine as long as they submit negative PCR test results done within 72 hours.

12. Only TRNC citizens and those who have permanent residence and have been in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Denmark and South Africa within last 14 days will be allowed to enter the country provided that they will be subject to central quarantine for 14 days.

13. It has been decided that funerals can be held with the participation of only first-degree relatives.

14. It has been decided that those who reside in the TRNC and work in the south will be subject to quarantine when entering the north.

15. It has been decided that those who reside in the south and work in the TRNC will be subject to quarantine when entering the north.

16. Considering the curfew, it has been decided that those who reside in the TRNC and are studying in the south are required to continue their education online.

17. Those who reside in Beyarmudu can only make daily crossings to the British Bases without quarantine for the purpose of agriculture and livestock.

18. It was deemed necessary to stop home visits and to ensure that only nuclear family comes together rather than extended family.

19. District Police Boards will be authorised to give permission in order to meet the essential needs that may arise other than the above.

20. The decisions taken will be re-evaluated by the Committee on 09 February, 2021.”

In the statement, it was also stated that the PCR inspections to be carried out for the officers, personnel and businesses that will remain open will start as of 5th February, 2021.