TRNC government close airport to all foreign nationals except citizens until Sunday September, 20

TRNC government said it will not be allowing foreign nationals enter the island until Sunday as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus.

According to report by Turkish Cypriot daily, Yeni Duzen on Tuesday, it cites a ‘Notam’ issued by the ‘transport ministry’, that Ercan airport will be closed to passengers except for ‘TRNC citizens’ their spouses and their dependents between September 16 and 20.

The ‘ministry’ explained that if spouses and children of Turkish Cypriots are foreign nationals, they will not be allowed in the plane unless they are accompanied by their spouse or parent.

The measure is aimed at decongesting the quarantine centres in the country since decision to temporarily halt inbound flights taken last week will last until Wednesday, September 16.

Those arriving from category B countries will be quarantined for seven days, and people from category C countries for 14 days. 

People testing positive to coronavirus are also quarantined as are their contacts.

There has been a spike in coronavirus cases in the north in recent weeks with total confirmed cases at 607.