Health authorities in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) have extended coronavirus restrictions in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19, which has seen 49 new cases recorded in the past 48 hours.
The latest announcement on Wednesday, 30 December 2020, includes a curfew in North Cyprus, mandatory quarantine for workers based in South Cyprus, and an extension on the entry ban on non-Turkish Cypriots coming from the UK, Denmark, Netherlands, and South Africa.
The TRNC had previously imposed a ban on anyone travelling from the four countries “to protect public health” after they had reported cases of the more infectious variant of the coronavirus. The current travel ban has been extended to 31 January 2021.
The only exceptions from these four countries are TRNC citizens, who can enter the country provided they present a negative PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before departure.
Once they arrive in North Cyprus, there is 14-day mandatory quarantine in a government-approved centre at cost to themselves, which must be paid before they travel to the TRNC.
There is 10-day mandatory quarantine for all other new arrivals from the rest of the world. They must also have a negative PCR test and pay for quarantine, which has been set at ₺3,050 or £291.
Other important decisions taken by the TRNC Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Contagious Diseases Executive Committee includes:
- A curfew has been imposed from New Year’s Eveuntil 4 January, inclusive, with people forbidden to be outdoors between the hours of 22.00 and 05.00. Health workers, police officers and other essential workers on duty will be exempt.
- Gatherings of more than 10 peoplein houses between 31/12/2020 and 03/01/2021, inclusive, is prohibited.
- There is mandatory quarantine for everyone entering North Cyprus from South Cyprus, except for diplomats. Special dispensation for Turkish Cypriot workers in the South to cross quarantine-free has also been suspended. The rules will apply up to and including 10/01/2021.
- A ban on indoor and outdoor on New Year’s Eve events
- A temporarybar on social activities, including cinemas, theatres, exhibitions, birthday parties, mass worship, engagement parties, weddings, and mevlits (prayer nights) until 03/01/2021.
- Self-isolation at homeuntil 10 January 2021 for pupils, their families, teachers and other school staff at 9 Eylül Primary Schoolwhere there has been an outbreak of coronavirus, with penalties for those who fail to comply fully with the rules.
- Bringing forward the half-year school holidays. Instead of the annual February break, all primary and secondary education schools in the TRNC will be closed between 04-15 January 2021 inclusive.
The TRNC’s Contagious Diseases Executive Committee will meet again on Monday to re-evaluate the situation.
