Adapass to become mandatory as of Friday this week, TRNC Minister of Health

TRNC Minister of Health, Ünal Üstel announced on Sunday that the “Adapass” application will become mandatory at establishments listed by the health minister as of Friday, August 20.

He said that establishments and venues will be strictly inspected and those violating the rules will be fined or shut down.

Speaking to the TAK news agency, Üstel said that the health ministry had opted for the implementation of the Adapass application which required individuals to show proof of vaccination or valid PCR tests when entering various establishments, stores and venues rather than implementing a full lock-down following a rise in daily case numbers.

Individuals will have the QR codes on their online passes scanned showing whether or not they have been vaccinated and if not whether they have a negative PCR test carried out in the last 72 hours.

Üstel also announced that the vaccination of those between ages 12-18 will begin as of Monday August 16.

Families wishing to get their children vaccinated will be able to do so at five vaccination centres set up by the Near East University hospital.

Meanwhile the administration of booster shots will continue at the 38 vaccination centres for those aged 55 and above.

Repeating that the government’s goal is to restart face-to-face or in-class education at schools and universities in September, Üstel said that vaccines will also be available for university students who will be arriving in the country to resume their education.

Pointing out that ten per cent of the population was against getting the Covid-19 vaccination, the TRNC health minister said that vaccines boosted immunity against the virus and in the event of contracting it allowed individuals to recover easier.

He said that the vaccine was the only way out of the pandemic and those sceptics should put aside their doubts and get vaccinated.

The health minister urged the public to adhere to the measures in place.

“Many continue to ignore the measures as if the pandemic is over despite all our warnings and calls. It is true there is a surge in cases but the number of hospitalisations has dropped significantly. The majority of those in hospital are persons who are not vaccinated,” he said.