Greek and Turkish Cypriot COVID-19 experts meet on Monday to discuss the epidemiological situation on both sides of Cyprus’ divide that will allow crossings to reopen.
Scientific data will be exchanged during a teleconference of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health, ahead of restrictions being partially lifted on June 8.
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci have agreed on the gradual opening of crossing points, depending on the epidemiological situation.
After the exchange of information, there will be an evaluation of the situation and recommendations will be made to the political leaders.
The gradual reopening of crossing points is a logical arrangement from a scientific point of view, said Petros Karayiannis, a molecular virology professor advising the Cyprus government.
Karayiannis hoped for a positive and constructive climate “to be able to determine whether the picture regarding the Turkish-occupied part corresponds to reality.”
He said the scientific team is eager to know about the measures the Turkish Cypriot side will take to prevent the virus being imported from Turkey.
“Once the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus resumes air and sea connectivity with Turkey, there must be some kind of control and we want to know about this,” Karayiannis added.
He said most of the cases in the Republic recently were “imported ones”, while local cases were very few and no patient has been hospitalised “for weeks”.
Gradually opening of crossing points, Karayiannis said, follows the pattern of the gradual easing of restrictive measures, that allows authorities to evaluate the situation before proceeding with the next phase.
“I think that in this case, too, we must follow a similar approach and if things go well and there is no transmission on either side then we can proceed with further openings.
During Monday’s teleconference experts are expected to discuss the way people will be checked when crossing.
On Tuesday, the scientific advisory team will meet Anastasiades, to discuss the overall epidemiological situation ahead of the third phase out of lockdown.
“It is possible that President Anastasiades will also request information about the conclusions of Monday’s teleconference,” said Karayiannis.
Anastasiades and Akinci agreed on 21 May 21 to open crossing points for motor vehicles on 8 June.
This will be for Turkish Cypriots working or studying in the Republic, or people receiving cancer or have a hospital appointment.
The same applies to enclaved Greek Cypriots or Maronites who reside permanently in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus.
Entry will also be allowed for Turkish Cypriot school students crossing via bus at Ledra Palace, Nicosia.
The Republic of Cyprus decided on 28 February to suspend the operation of four crossing points (Ledra Street, Astromeritis, Lefka and Dherynia), as a precaution against COVID-19 but several other crossing points remained open.
Turkish Cypriots closed all crossings during the coronavirus outbreak in mid-March.
The Republic has recorded 944 COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths, while the Turkish Cypriots have confirmed 108 cases and four deaths, but no new infections have been declared since 17 April.
(source CNA)
