The opening of the Ledra Street crossing point is a political decision which will be taken by the leaders of the two communities, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, professor of microbiology and molecular virology at the Medical School of the University of Nicosia, Petros Karayiannis has told CNA, noting that the epidemiological picture is good on both sides of the divide.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated UN led efforts to reunify the island under a federal roof have so far failed to yield results.

The Bi-Communal Technical Committees were established by the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities under the auspices of the United Nations, to address issues that affect the day-to-day life of people, by encouraging and facilitating greater interaction and understanding between the two communities.

Karayiannis, who is also a member of a Ministry of Health advisory team of experts on the pandemic, said that during a teleconference yesterday of the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health the epidemiological report of the Turkish occupied areas was presented.

“Security measures at crossing points are operating normally on both sides,” he said, adding that the Turkish Cypriots requested for the Ledra Street crossing point to open.

“We told them that it is a political decision which is not up to the epidemiological team,” he noted.

He added that the epidemiological picture “is good on both sides.” Therefore, he said, it is up to the two leaders to open the Ledra Street crossing point.

Karayiannis also said that during the teleconference the matter of illegal immigrants arriving in the Turkish occupied areas and then crossing to the areas under government control was raised, adding that Turkish Cypriots said that groups of immigrants arrive in the occupied areas and then cross to the areas under government control via the green line. They also said that any immigrants who remain in the occupied areas are tested for the coronavirus, he noted.

Referring to the epidemiological report the Turkish Cypriots submitted to Greek Cypriot side last week, which is 22 pages long, he said that Turkish Cypriots are making an extensive effort to cover all people arriving at the illegal airports and ports asking everyone to take a test.

People arriving from categories B and C are also tested upon their arrival in Cyprus and people arriving from countries in category C have to undergo an additional test after 15 days of quarantine, he noted.

Referring to passengers arriving from Turkey, he explained that they fall under category B and they are asked to provide negative test results and are also tested upon their arrival to Cyprus.