TRNC lifts restrictions on the use of masks in closed areas

The TRNC Minister of Health, Gürçağ Altuğra, has announced that in line with the decisions taken by the Communicable Diseases Supreme Committee, the obligation to use masks in closed areas will be lifted after the decisions are published in the official newspaper.

Minister Altuğra made the following statements;

In line with the decisions taken by the Communicable Diseases Supreme Committee, the use of masks in closed areas will be removed after the decisions are published in the official newspaper. However, people with upper respiratory complaints should continue to use masks in closed areas and public transportation in order not to infect other people. It is recommended that people who are in the risk group, for example, over 60 years of age, have underlying lung, kidney, neurology diseases, use drugs that suppress the immune system for a long time, diabetes patients, HIV patients, especially unvaccinated people, to use masks in closed areas.

Indoor areas, classroom, restaurant, gyms, etc. Places need to be ventilated frequently. With the decrease in the number of cases and the increase in the number of people who vaccinate, the pandemic rules have gradually decreased, and we have finally come to these days together. The pandemic, which affected the whole world, also significantly affected life in our country, and this process taught many things to the Ministry of Health, which played the most active role in the fight against the pandemic. The necessity of the automation system for statistical information has shown us once again the importance of working in unity and solidarity in the epidemic that the whole world has experienced for the first time, as well as the importance of our healthcare professionals.

Our struggle with the whole world has started since March 2020, when the Covid-19 case was first seen in our country and (WHO) declared a "global pandemic". We are happy that we have given us a successful exam in the pandemic compared to many countries. According to WHO's statistical information, we are in the 40th rank among 46 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia in the total number of deaths according to 1 million population.

Again, according to the statistical information of WHO, we are in the 28th rank among 46 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia in the total number of cases according to 1 million population. Case fatality rate in TRNC is 0.25%. Our vaccination rates are also very good compared to many countries.

In this struggle, we have come to the end of the pandemic thanks to the healthcare professionals who work devotedly for the health of the people day and night, our valuable people's compliance with the rules, the support given to us by all our institutions, and the unconditional support of the Republic of Turkey. I would like to take this opportunity to express my endless thanks to all healthcare professionals, our esteemed people, and the authorities of the Republic of Turkey who are with us in our fight against Kovid-19, as in all other matters. While there was a shortage of vaccines and medical supplies in many countries of the world, the Republic of Turkey provided us with all the help we wanted and made a great contribution by bringing the Emergency Hospital to our country. In the next period, our struggle will continue for the deficiencies in our health infrastructure and for our people to receive better health services.