TRNC will lock down for two or three weeks if necessary - Health Minister

The TRNC is not ruling out a a full lockdown for two or three weeks if cases continue to rise, Minister of Health, Ali Pilli said on Wednesday.

The remark comes after local cases in the TRNC continue to rise in the last few days.

At the moment we do not see the need for a complete lockdown. If we look internationally, there are countries that did it. If necessary, we can close for 15-20 days to end the pandemic in a shorter period of time and for the benefit of public health, he said.

He said the TRNC has not had any problems with passengers arrivals who must all quarantine.

The cases that came from the Greek Cypriot side caused more difficulties and for this reason we took strict measures. We will increase them if necessary, he added, referring to Turkish Cypriot workers crossing back and forth.

Pilli also said vaccinations would start on January 15 and they hope to have 60 per cent of people vaccinated by March.

Pilli said that the number of Covid cases was under control and the number of patients was not so far overwhelming the hospitals.

He said the first to be vaccinated would be hospital staff and the elderly in nursing homes. 

The population number given by the ‘statistical service’ to the ‘health ministry’ for vaccination was 382,230 based on 2019 figures.