North stocking up on medical supplies

More cases in the north are being released from quarantine while others test positive, as Turkish Cypriot authorities see medical supplies and financial support starting to pour in.

According to Turkish Cypriot local media, 40 confirmed cases in the north included 31 German tourists who had been staying in three hotels under quarantine.

Local media posted photos on Tuesday showing 29 German tourists, including the first couple to have tested positive in the north, waiting to board a charter flight back to Germany.

Nine others cases included eight Turkish Cypriots and one ethnic Turk from Turkmenistan. According to administration officials, the cases were discovered after tests were made on people under self-isolation, including two Germans from the tourist group who remain in hospital.

In the meantime, medical supplies shipped by sea arrived at Kyrenia port this week, while a private plane from Ankara also flew in with medical supplies and masks, according to local media.

Reports in the south said European funds to the tune of €5 million were also making their way to the north to help Turkish Cypriot authorities battle the coronavirus pandemic.

Previous media reports said China was sending thousands of masks to the Republic of Cyprus.