The Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health Issues held a videoconference on Monday to exchange views on the COVID-19 situation on the island and the possible reopening of crosspoints which closed after the pandemic.
“No decision was taken today, we exchanged views, we were briefed on the situation in each side, the epidemiological data, the hospitalization of patients, the medication given, the tests etc,” Leonidas Fylaktou, co-chair of the Committee told the Cyprus News Agency.
Five members of the Scientific Advisory Committee took part in the videoconference and they presented the scientific figures in Cyprus Republic. They also asked questions on the situation in the occupied areas and wanted to know why the cases were low, Fylaktou said. He said that the Turkish Cypriot members of the Committee said that this is because of the early and strict measures taken.
Today’s meeting was held after an agreement between President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to exchange views on the gradual opening of crossing points, according to the epidemiological situation on the island.
Fylaktou pointed out that the decision is of course political and that today the members exchanged views without getting into specific details. He also said that a second videoconference will take place soon, but no date was set. Moreover he said that the Turkish Cypriot members of the Technical Committee were given a copy of the latest National Surveillance Report published last Thursday, by the Health Ministry.
Petros Karayiannis of the Scientific Committee told the CNA that the discussion today was productive and the Committee wanted to know more on the epidemiological situation in the occupied areas. He said that specific questions were asked and that the discussion will continue.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led reunification talks have so far failed to yield a positive outcome.
The “authorities” of the Turkish Cypriot puppet regime have prohibited all crossings from mid-March. On April 11 the prohibition expanded to include the diplomatic corps and members of the UN.
The Republic of Cyprus’ Cabinet had decided on February 28 to suspend the operation of four crossing points (Ledras Street, Astromeritis, Lefka and Dherynia), as a precaution against COVID-19 continuing however to allow crossing in another five crossing points taking all necessary precautions.