The four facts at the moment - What the experts say
Anxiety was caused in the free areas by the dramatic increase of the cases of coronavirus in the occupied areas since almost every day the number is in double digits. The news that arrived brought mobilization to the Ministry of Health but also to the Technical Bi-Community Committee for Health.
The decision of the occupying authorities to close the illegal Tympos Airport for four days and the illegal ports brought to the surface the possibility of closing the roadblocks again after the end of June. At the same time, one of the scenarios that may be discussed will be the increase in coronavirus tests that will be performed on specialized population groups such as students, workers, vulnerable groups that arrive in the free areas daily. It is noted that those who belong to these groups are not required to perform continuous tests covid 19.
At the moment, no meeting of the President of the Republic with the epidemiological group regarding the situation in the occupied territories and the possibility of closing the roadblocks has been determined.
The co-chair of the Bicommunal Technical Committee for Health, Leonidas Fylaktou, speaking to Offsite, stressed that "the technical committee transmits information to the Government and the Minister whenever requested. "Last Wednesday, I gave detailed information to the Minister about the increase of cases in the occupied territories". Asked by Mr. Fylaktou what caused this increase, Mr. Fylaktou stressed that "the cases seem to be imported. However, the measures taken with the closure of the illegal Airport and the illegal ports and other decisions, I think, will have positive results ".
Restricted crossing and the "thorn"
Asked about the closing of the roadblocks, Mr. Fylaktou stressed that "there is nothing at the moment. The passage is limited anyway. They are used on a regular basis by specific groups of citizens such as students, employees, pupils and vulnerable groups that enter the free areas ". Mr. Fylaktou stressed that "these teams are a thorn in the side and the frequency of the tests that are done".
In another question, Mr. Fylaktou stated that "I am in daily contact with the Turkish Cypriot co-chair of the Technical Committee and I am informed daily. No new teleconference was scheduled. "
The member of the scientific team, Leontios Kostrikkis, speaking to Offsite, stressed that "it seems that the cases in the occupied areas are imported. At the moment there is no discussion about closing the roadblocks. I was not informed about a meeting of the epidemiological team with the Minister of Health or the President about the roadblocks.
Create a chain
Also, the member of the scientific team, Dr. Petros Karagiannis, stated that the increase in cases was either due to an imported population, or to a case that showed symptoms at a later stage, creating a chain. Dr. Karagiannis argued that the measures taken by the occupying authorities together with the mandatory indication of a negative test to pass citizens in the free areas minimize the risk. The professor of microbiology also stressed that there is no information for a discussion about the roadblocks or a meeting with the President of the Republic.
What about roadblocks
The passage through roadblocks continues. However, in relation to the sample checks, some data are valid:
First: The occupying authorities request a negative test with a validity of 15 days for entry into the occupied areas.
Second: The short stay in the occupied territories does not require a new test to enter the Republic of Cyprus. The test given to the occupying authorities is accepted.
Third: The Republic of Cyprus requests a 72-hour coronavirus test to enter its territory.
Fourth: There are arrangements for special groups such as students, vulnerable groups and staff who take the test only once. The increase in these tests may be discussed.
Source: Offsite