TRNC government extends night time curfew till March, 8, curfew continues on weekends and more businesses to open

The government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with the recommendation of the Supreme Committee on Infectious diseases has decided to extend the partial curfew until Monday, March, 8.

TRNC Prime Minister Ersan Saner made the announcement on Saturday following a meeting by the Council of Ministers. 

Based on the previous gradual opening decisions, a reassessment was made by the Committee, and the following decisions were taken and the decisions taken were revised.

According to the new decisions, night curfew will be imposed in all regions from 9:00pm to 5:00am starting from Monday, March 1 to Monday, March 8. 

All businesses, except bars, cafes, restaurants, etc., will be able to open from Monday, March, 1.

Open businesses will operate from 8:00am to 8:00pm from March 1 to Friday, March 5.
Retail and merchandising services (except supermarkets and workplaces supplying all sectors) will serve between 10:00am and 8:00pm.

On Saturday, March, 6, every businesses will be closed except for pharmacies, markets, butchers, gas stations and take-away services. They will be able to open from 8:00am to 8:00pm. 

On Sunday, March 7, every businesses will be closed except for pharmacies and and bakery.

As of Monday, March 1, all business places including markets will serve under conditions stated by the supreme board.

Package service will be able to serve until 9:00pm except on Sundays.

Movement to Lefkosa and Kyrenia from other districts will be under the supervision of the district police committee, and there will be no inspection on movement between Lefkosa and Kyrenia.

Barbers and hairdressers have until Wednesday, March, 3 to complete their PCR tests and can start operating from Thursday, March 4 by appointment.

A statutory decree was issued; If there will be an extension of 6 terms of debts or postponement of installments, no interest change will be made against the debtor.

Closed Places;

- Theater and cinema halls, performance centers, concert halls, engagement-wedding halls, birthdays, religious services, casinos, bars, taverns, coffeehouses and cafes, cafeterias, hookah cafes and halls, internet cafes, all kinds of game halls, indoor Children's playgrounds, clubs, swimming pools, massage parlors, spa, indoor sports halls, astroturf, open buffet restaurants, hairdressers, barbers, beauty salons, tattooists, bet offices, night clubs, club, Turkish bath, saunas.

Open Places;

All businesses and activities that are not stated implicitly can be open under the conditions stated. 

Restaurant, cafe, buffet, sandwich shops, bagel sellers and so on. Services will only be provided in the form of package service, online sales and pick-up. Seating areas will not be used in these sectors.

Measures for Marketers

»Everyone who works in market places must be informed about COVID-19, social distance, use of masks and hand hygiene.

 »When entering market places, temperature of shopkeepers must be measured, those who have a temperature above 38C must wear a medical mask, they must not be allowed to enter the market place and they must be directed to the health institution.

 »Marketers who have fever, cough, runny nose and shortness of breath should not be allowed to enter the market place.

 »Merchant tradesmen must wear a mask to cover their mouth and nose. The mask should be changed when it gets moist or dirty, and the outer surface of the mask should not be touched. Hand sanitizer should be used before and after changing the mask.

 »While selling behind the counter, one should pay attention such that the distance between the other marketers is at least 1 meter, 3-4 steps.

 »Merchant tradesmen must prevent consumer contact with unpackaged fresh vegetables and fruits, directly pay attention to hygiene conditions and sell them in bags.

 »Market tradesmen should not shout to sell.

»Market tradesmen should pay attention to social distance rules while eating.

Washbasins and Toilets

70% alcohol hand sanitizer should be available in the toilets.

 »Entrance doors to toilet areas should be turned into an automatic door system. If this is not possible, the handles of the entrance doors to the toilet area should be disinfected very frequently. 

 »Floors of toilets, toilet bowls, urinals, sinks, faucet and tap heads, door handles must be cleaned and disinfected frequently.

 »Cleaning hours of toilets and sinks must be recorded and hung visibly.

 »There should be no missing materials in the toilets, liquid soap, toilet paper and paper towels should be available at all times.

 »Hand dryers should not be used, except for hand dryers that work with hepailitrile air flow.

 »Personnel who will clean the toilet must wear gloves, masks and goggles / visors.

 »There should be hygiene information and warning posters in the toilets.