In a statement made tonight by the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus’s (TRNC) Health Ministry, travellers from the UK will not need to carry out a 14-day quarantine period as stated for category C countries.
The following statement was made: “Considering the decrease in the number of UK cases, it is predicted that flights from this country to the island may start on July 16, 2020. As of July 16, people coming to the island from England will be able to enter the island with a negative PCR result by having a PCR test at least three or five days before leaving the country. At the entrance, they will be required to take their 2nd PCR test and will be quarantined for 7 days. At the end of the quarantine period, they will exit the quarantine by taking the 3rd PCR tests.”
The UK has seen the number of Coronavirs cases fall over the pass month to pre-lockdown figures while carrying out over 200,000 test daily.
On Monday TRNC announced new rules for travellers entering the country, placing the UK in category C whereby, anyone travelling to North Cyprus would have to pay for and carry out a mandatory 14-day quarantine period under government supervision.
At the time of the announcement the UK had confirmed 352 new coronavirus cases.
While travellers from countries in catalogue B would need to present a negative PCR test upon arrived, before leaving for their hotel take an 2nd PCR test and await there until a negative result was given. In this category there are countries such as Kuwait, who at the time of the announcement reported 702 new cases, Turkey with 1,086 new cases and Qatar with 546 new case of coronavirus.
The news that UK travellers would be subjected to a mandatory paid 14-day quarantine coasting over £500 (4,400TL), came to a shock for many Turkish Cypriot living in the UK. Many expressing anger over the decision as countries like Turkey and South Cyprus(as of August 1st) lift restrictions on UK travellers, while the UK announced last Friday quarantine-free travel for 73 countries included Turkey, North Cyprus and South Cyprus for UK travellers returning to England.
The new rules means UK travellers will be able to travel to North Cyprus only with a negative PCR test, upon arrival and 2nd test will be taken and a 7-day quarantine period would need to be carried out, before this period finished a final 3rd PCR test would also be done.
The details on how the quarantine would be carried out or if it would be done so at a cost to the traveller was not shared in the statement.