Public health officials on Tuesday visited the checkpoints to monitor implementation of measures to address possible coronavirus cases.
The on the spot visits came a day after the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health met in the Nicosia buffer zone, noting that all necessary precautions have been taken by both sides in accordance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), including screening.
“The members of the Committee agreed to remain in close contact, exchanging information between the two communities and providing assistance, as deemed necessary,” it said.
The Republic of Cyprus has set up a task force and introduced screening measures at the airports and ports to screen passengers travelling from China. There are no direct flights, and authorities have arranged with airlines to inform them if they are carrying passengers who have transited elsewhere on their way to Cyprus. Signs have also been erected informing the travellers that they must inform authorities if they have been in China in the past 14 days.
On Tuesday, Dr Elizavet Constantinou, head of the public health services, visited checkpoints to monitor implementation of the measures introduced there in cooperation with the Justice Ministry.
These included a brief questionnaire of members of the public coming into the government controlled areas to clarify if they had visited China in the past fortnight or had any contact with anyone who has tested positive for coronavirus, or who is being tested for the virus.
Moreover, information leaflets are given out with contact numbers in the event someone develops symptoms.
Police at the checkpoints is in regular contact with the infectious diseases monitoring unit at the ministry and the ambulance service for further guidance and more specialised checks should the need arise.
On Monday evening, President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci were briefed by the bicommunal committee on measures being taken to proetct against a coronavirus outbreak in Cyprus and agreed on the need to increase cooperation so as to take all necessary measures to provide the maximum possible protection to people.
https://in-cyprus.com/cyprus-leaders-agree-to-increase-cooperation-to-protect-cypriots-from-coronavirus/
