Travel & quarantine

[Trigger]

Unbelievable! Only booked our flights yesterday to come over in a few days time. Not now if we have to quarantine in a hotel for 7 days and not our villa. Thank you TRNC thats a grand down the drain.

Nightmare!

Depending on how long you were planning on stopping in North Cyprus, I think I would be tempted to just go ahead and do the two weeks quarantine in the hotel. Take some good books, get into a good tv series...

[sophie]

Trigger I think its only 7 days quarantine in a hotel. Depends a lot on the hotel you are placed. Speaking to friends this morning who like Hector have spent mega bucks are still going to come next week until mid October, rather than lose the cash. Bring masses of books, download lots of series and hope to have a decent view and food.

[Trigger]

Trigger I think its only 7 days quarantine in a hotel. Depends a lot on the hotel you are placed. Speaking to friends this morning who like Hector have spent mega bucks are still going to come next week until mid October, rather than lose the cash. Bring masses of books, download lots of series and hope to have a decent view and food.

Ah right, even more reason just to put up with it if it’s only 7 days then.

How does the hotel allocation work? Is it just random?

[wanderer]

Malpas was one of the top picks
But in a hotel room for a week no outside time in the hottest September for many years
I was due in a week but TA moved my times of flights by small amounts 3 times rand up two weeks ago and they refunded to my card

Listen to Bob Dylan's song The Hurricane

"Now all the criminals in their coats and their ties
Are free to drink martinis and watch the sun rise
While Rubin sits like Buddha in a ten-foot cell
An innocent man in a living hell
That's the story of the Hurricane"

[Hector]

Whilst we completely understand the need for quarantine rules, what a total disincentive to booking flights to NC when the TRNC government can simply change the rules without warning.

We were willing (and had just booked the day before this happened) to fly to Ercan via Istanbul using a combination of BA & Turkish airlines when we could self quarantine at our villa but certainly we will not be now. We would be locked up in shall, we say, 'not a 5 * ' hotel room, with no choice as to meals that are just put outside our door and having to pay for the privilege.

[sophie]

The Government here cannot win. They want to keep Covid No's down (understandably) but they are getting bashed from side to side because of empty hotels. At least people will be monitored and not nipping out when they think they are not being watched in order to shop and whatever.

However, if you go to Lefkosia, the place is buzzing, all the shops seem to be open, so do the coffee shops, restaurants etc, everyone is wearing masks correctly and life seems to be going on as normal if the traffic is anything to go by. Its only on the coast when you realise the lack of people and empty cafes etc.

[Catlover]

Thank you Sofie, I totally agree with your comment.

If people had not nipped out instead of self-isolating then the home isolation would have continued.
Instead some "very clever people" seem to think it is fine to buck the system and go out when they like.
Not only do they put others at risk they are now ruining it for people who are happy to self-isolate at home.

We have more cases here now than back in March and if those currently in hospital end up needing ventilators we may not have enough to go around. So for all of you who are cursing and swearing at the government changing the rules consider other people's health for a change.
With the heat we are experiencing it is already a challenge for anyone with asthma, heart condition, or high blood pressure.

For a country without the finances and resources available to them like most European countries, I think the government here has done an amazing job so far and instead of moaning I wish people would support them and do what is asked. 7 days is not long to stay indoors, be thankful you have good health and a place to stay. Wear your mask, sanitise your hands and try to stay safe - and protect the lives of others too.

[MVP]

If the government weren't getting any money as most of the private sector aren't, do you think they would be following the same course?

How many people have died of covid verses car accidents since March?

Crazy policies designed to further bankrupt the TRNC into the waiting arms of the motherland?...

[Keithcaley]

Catlover, I totally agree!

MVP - none have died since the initial 4, because the restrictions have worked so far - some more might die if people flout the Law, and as I and a lot of people that I know are in the 'At Risk' category, I hope that the restrictions continue to work...

[Catlover]

MVP - as with most countries the cases rise then sadly the death toll rises. The restrictions have kept us safe so far.
If people just ignore the rules and think it is all a waste of time they will be risking the lives of many here who are in the "at risk" category.
If people work safely the country will not be further bankrupt - many businesses are thriving again so a little less of the cynical attitude please.

Stay safe Keith

[leester polfus]

Mgs 57 - Well said Catlover.

[wanderer]

Hospital beds filling up quickly
https://www.lgcnews.com/state-hospital- ... -patients/

[13roman58]

Hospital beds filling up quickly
https://www.lgcnews.com/state-hospital- ... -patients/

I thought that they were going to close the airport for a week to reduce the number of cases, not allow more flights,no wonder that they are overwhelmed.

[EnjoyingTheSun]

If people work safely the country will not be further bankrupt - many businesses are thriving again so a little less of the cynical attitude please.

Stay safe Keith

What businesses here are thriving?
The country’s economic model is based on tourism and there aren’t many/any.
I would imagine a restaurant/bars profit per head was tight in the best of times.
Already closed, barely surviving or making less of a loss than they were 2 months ago isn’t thriving by my understanding of the word.

[wanderer]

The reason for the flights continuing is the students and the income they bring to the state

[Catlover]

A variety of areas within the construction business are very busy already.
I ordered aluminium shutters and have had to wait several weeks for them as the company has been really busy.
Yapi markets have been pretty busy too - except those who over charge and are not being flexible.
Some hotels at the Karpaz are doing a lot of business at the moment.
Those who are thinking "outside the box" and trying different ideas to attract customers are doing well.
However, I agree there are many businesses that have already closed and barely surviving - I didn't say the the whole country is thriving.

Msg 56 Sofie said in Lefkosa things are going on as normal with coffee shops and restaurants busy.
It is the Girne area and along the coast who rely specifically on tourism that are struggling.
If they made more attempt to target local tourism, all those people who cannot go away for a holiday but would like to be out of their homes for a few days, they could benefit from this.
Slowly Girne based hotels are starting to think about other options.
If those who used to offer buffet lunches, brought these back but with the buffet behind a screen and being served to customers I am sure many would love to enjoy these meals again. It is just the self service side that needs to be adapted but anything is possible if they make an effort.
Some places in the Karpaz area are fully booked so it can be done.

A little positive mental attitude and effort helps too.
My main objection is the landlords who are still expecting full payment in Sterling.
If they considered a rent reduction in the short term, or even a couple of months with rent suspended that would help a lot of people.
The government could help by insisting that rents are charged in TL instead of Sterling as this is one of the main problems crippling businesses at the moment.

[EnjoyingTheSun]

A variety of areas within the construction business are very busy already.

Well the construction business of building shells or completing buildings that no-one ever buys is always active out here but I don’t think they follow conventional business models tbh.

I’ve no doubt restaurants can get 20 diners in instead of 4 by cutting the profit per head down from 50TL a head to 3TL but I don’t think that is very sustainable myself.
Next year what do we think, TRNC will see 50% of the normal tourist flow or is that being ambitious?

Some businesses are surviving but I don’t think any are thriving.

I’m all for being optimistic. I hope covid gets bored if we lockdown and disappear. I’d love to think if we do this “let’s not make it too uncomfortable” lockdown forever then people will become immortal but I do like to couple it with a little realism.

[EnjoyingTheSun]

My main objection is the landlords who are still expecting full payment in Sterling.

If they considered a rent reduction in the short term, or even a couple of months with rent suspended that would help a lot of people.

The government could help by insisting that rents are charged in TL instead of Sterling as this is one of the main problems crippling businesses at the moment.

Let’s deal with these one by one.

The lire is in a pretty poor condition so when the currency is buggered people move into sterling,euros,dollars, gold or Brussel sprouts if the hold their value so that isn’t going to happen.

There are some landlords like the Duke of Westminster who could stop receiving rent for ten years and still be a very rich man. There are A lot more people who bought a second home to rent out as an income stream to bolster their inadequate pension.
So nice idea but maybe the landlords can’t afford to do it. But you are doing ok it seems, ordering shutters etc so every time you go in a restaurant insist on paying double the bill. That will be a huge help as it will get more money swilling around the economy.
As for the delay getting shutters it could be that they guy has so much business he can’t keep up. Or due to prioritising of imports he can’t get the shutters over here to supply or maybe of the ten staff he had to service his customers he now only has one?
I know which two options I’d bet on.

Re the rents in lire, a lot of the reason that currencies fall is a lack of confidence or uncertainty. If they change rents to a more volatile currency then I can see rents changing monthly or even weekly so that won’t be helping with confidence or uncertainty much will it?

[Moonrakers]

As we all know there has been a significant surge in positive Covid 19 cases in the TRNC recently. The hospitals and medical services are almost at saturation point and soon will be over stretched trying to cope.
Why can't we all be sensible and obey the rules. Avoid crowds in bars and restaurants for a while and practise social distancing. If the bar/restaurant is not obeying the rules why not vote with your feet and take your business to one that does. Perhaps you could consider staying at home for a week or two and staying safe ? You might even enjoy it !

[EnjoyingTheSun]

Why can't we all be sensible and obey the rules. Avoid crowds in bars and restaurants for a while and practise social distancing. If the bar/restaurant is not obeying the rules why not vote with your feet and take your business to one that does. Perhaps you could consider staying at home for a week or two and staying safe ? You might even enjoy it !

What you mean take personal responsibility?
It’s out there but it might catch on I guess?

[Maisiemoo]

I read last week that Sammy's Hotel is closing. Sadly It will be the small family owned businesses like this that will hear the brunt of the contraction not the big corporate hotels. Lefkosa is not so reliant on tourism but will still experience some impact with visitors from the South on day trips not being allowed over. Maybe the NC Government should take a few tips from Rishi Sunak and finance an Eat Out to Help Out scheme

[13roman58]

There is a meeting of the health ministry ongoing with calls for the airport to be closed for a week again.

[kibsolar1999]

this is offtopic, but just to mention...

do not believe in the "fog candles" thrown in here by some.. eg
"....Penicillin has saved millions of lives but I’m sure it has also killed thousands as well..."
this is a 1:1000 ratio (million-thousands). that would mean 65.000 dead in the UK alone.
and
"....If everyone takes the vaccine which is going to be rushed, let's be realistic, it could kill more people than if everyone catches covid-19...."
if, could.. but be realistic... just fog candles....
sure is, no (western) gov will accept a vaccine against sars cov 2 with a death rate of 1:1000.
not even 1:10.000 , which would mean during the "30-40.000 test conditions" 3 or 4 would die.

eg, in Peru we stand at nearly 1:1000 death rate to total population ( 33 million and 30.000 dead or 903/1 million) already with 2% of the population as registered sars cov 2 cases ( 700.000) only.

btw, worlds average death rate stands at 1,14 :10.000 (114/1million) and the pandemy is in full swing...

so, you might better hope for a working and reasonable safe vaccine...

[sophie]

Don't agree with Eat Out scheme. Yet another excuse for Brits to stuff themselves to the gills. Why should tax payers pay for that. Eat less should be the mantra in the UK especially,

[PoshinDevon]

The Eat out to help out scheme was not an invitation to eat more, it was an initiative to encourage people to support businesses during this difficult time.

Valid Mon, Tues and Weds which were quieter days with regards to eating out.

It’s has worked well here in the U.K. and a good number of establishments have taken on the scheme themselves without the government subsidy. Many are offering reduced prices on many meals in order to keep restaurants operating and staff in employment.

However, I am not convinced that this should be a priority of the TRNC government.

Quarantine, travel restrictions and further selective lock downs along with forced closure of certain businesses is really going to hurt the economy for sure tho.

[Moonrakers]

Enjoying the sun.

'Personal responsibility..... might catch on'

Wishful thinking me thinks !

[sophie]

Posh in Devon, my remark was a bit tongue in cheek, but only a bit. I've watched on TV plates of burgers etc being handed out in eateries to people who should have been going to Weight Watchers etc (children included) and it seems obscene to be over eating for half the price. (Off topic I know, but I didn't start it!)

[EnjoyingTheSun]

this is offtopic, but just to mention...

do not believe in the "fog candles" thrown in here by some.. eg
"....Penicillin has saved millions of lives but I’m sure it has also killed thousands as well..."
this is a 1:1000 ratio (million-thousands). that would mean 65.000 dead in the UK alone.
and
"....If everyone takes the vaccine which is going to be rushed, let's be realistic, it could kill more people than if everyone catches covid-19...."
if, could.. but be realistic... just fog candles....
sure is, no (western) gov will accept a vaccine against sars cov 2 with a death rate of 1:1000.
not even 1:10.000 , which would mean during the "30-40.000 test conditions" 3 or 4 would die.

eg, in Peru we stand at nearly 1:1000 death rate to total population ( 33 million and 30.000 dead or 903/1 million) already with 2% of the population as registered sars cov 2 cases ( 700.000) only.

btw, worlds average death rate stands at 1,14 :10.000 (114/1million) and the pandemy is in full swing...

so, you might better hope for a working and reasonable safe vaccine...

I do not know how many have died from penicillin, I believe something like 500 yearly die from it in the US. That is with many people knowing they are allergic and alternatives which don't contain penicillin. So I'm not working out the odds just pointing out that the vaccine is liable to harm/kill a lot of people.
As for the vaccine they can run every test and trial in the world which all takes time.
Should it be rushed through as I think will happen and there is no alternative vaccine and we inoculate entire populations en masse then it is liable to harm/kill a lot more.
My point is that people are looking for a risk free perfect solution where no one dies.
There isn't one and never will be one.

[EnjoyingTheSun]

Posh in Devon, my remark was a bit tongue in cheek, but only a bit. I've watched on TV plates of burgers etc being handed out in eateries to people who should have been going to Weight Watchers etc (children included) and it seems obscene to be over eating for half the price. (Off topic I know, but I didn't start it!)

Apparently obesity is never the person's fault.

[erol]

My point is that people are looking for a risk free perfect solution where no one dies.
There isn't one and never will be one.

You keep saying this over and over, yet in my case I know absolutely it is just total nonsense. That is not what I am looking for at all and I suspect that is true more generally as well, no matter how many times you claim otherwise. I am looking for 'solutions' that lead to the least possible death and suffering. What we chose to do or not do, as individuals and as 'societies' can, does and will affect how much death and suffering result from this virus.

I find constantly being told by you that actually I am just an unrealistic dreamer that is looking for a 'risk free perfect solution' insulting to my intelligence, however limited that may be. You are not alone amongst those who also play the 'lockdown culture war' game. It is common in my experience that to even express any doubt that lockdown is universally bad always and will definitely cause more death and suffering than no lockdown, as if 'lockdown' is a singular thing, results in name calling like 'bed wetter' and the like. I include 'unrealistic dreamer who wants the impossible' in the same category of 'dismissive name calling'.

[EnjoyingTheSun]

I find constantly being told by you that actually I am just an unrealistic dreamer that is looking for a 'risk free perfect solution' insulting to my intelligence,

You seem to want to personalise everything I say. I don't know whether it is sensitivity or paranoia.

[wanderer]

Very good analysis of covid as it is in the uk at the moment first 10 minutes

https://tv.spectator.co.uk/event/the-we ... ndrew-neil

[erol]

I find constantly being told by you that actually I am just an unrealistic dreamer that is looking for a 'risk free perfect solution' insulting to my intelligence,

You seem to want to personalise everything I say. I don't know whether it is sensitivity or paranoia.

It is neither. I am just trying to make my point.

It seems to me that anyone who disagrees with your opinion that 'lock-downs' generically are a 'bad decision', is written off by you as being someone who is just ' looking for a risk free perfect solution where no one dies.'. That to me is not 'argument', that is just 'insult', little different from 'people who voted for Brexit are racist.' is not argument, just insult.

So who are these 'people' you keep referring to exactly, that are just 'looking for a risk free perfect solution where no one dies.', if not anyone who does not share your certainty over 'locking down = bad' ?

[EnjoyingTheSun]

It seems to me that anyone who disagrees with your opinion that 'lock-downs' generically are a 'bad decision', is written off by you as being someone who is just ' looking for a risk free perfect solution where no one dies.'.

How many died pre-lock down? 3 or 4?
How many died on the roads the first week we 'opened' up?
The problem is Erol I don't think you have any comprehension of the economic damage this is doing.
People nod sagely when we have someone saying austerity has cost 120,000 lives in 10 years but not join the dots.
We are looking at the 1930s depression plus with people who are not used to struggling like that generation did. We talk about relative poverty because someone has a worse iphone than many but this is going to be horrendous.
I there is a theory that we soak the rich, turn on the money tap and spend our way back to economic health by bloating 'workers' in the public sector so everyone is working our way to a Utopia but........it.......doesn't........work.

[erol]

It seems to me that anyone who disagrees with your opinion that 'lock-downs' generically are a 'bad decision', is written off by you as being someone who is just ' looking for a risk free perfect solution where no one dies.'.

How many died pre-lock down? 3 or 4?

Which puts us 'to date' in the same ballpark as NZ in terms of deaths per head of population. Which is why I find the idea that the authorities here should just abandon what they have done so far, accept that it was 'wrong' and start copying what Sweden has done, when they have a to date deaths per head of population over 100 times higher, somewhat 'weak' as an idea. It just makes no sense to me, outside of a 'lockdown' culture war.

The problem is Erol I don't think you have any comprehension of the economic damage this is doing.

Which again is just a 'you are not as clever as me' argument, as far as I am concerned. Show me credible evidence and I might be swayed. Just pronounce I am stupid and I probably will not be swayed.

[EnjoyingTheSun]

Show me credible evidence and I might be swayed.

No I'm going to give up. At the end of the day whatever happens no lock down, Cyprus lock down, proper lock down I'll be ok.

It's going to be great. We'll have full employment round the world, everyone will earn exactly the same because they'll be doing exactly the same amount and difficulty of work and hopefully free broadband for everyone.
I'm sure you'll have some statistics that'll prove it.

[PoshinDevon]

Posh in Devon, my remark was a bit tongue in cheek, but only a bit. I've watched on TV plates of burgers etc being handed out in eateries to people who should have been going to Weight Watchers etc (children included) and it seems obscene to be over eating for half the price. (Off topic I know, but I didn't start it!)

The aim was to support businesses and keep staff employed. To that end it has worked.

It’s a personal choice if you order a bucket of chips and half a whale at each sitting. Human nature is what it is.

[EnjoyingTheSun]

no wonder that they are overwhelmed.

It’s 127 cases. I’ve been to football matches that put more people in hospital.

[EnjoyingTheSun]

The aim was to support businesses and keep staff employed. To that end it has worked.

The problem is when the money tap is turned off.

[Catlover]

Enjoying the Sun

I am guessing sarcasm is the norm for you which is also why Erol finds your comments condescending, as do I.
Not going to be drawn into a discussion with you, not worth the time and effort to be honest.
Try "Enjoying the Sun" instead of being so negative.

Stay safe everyone.

[Brinsley]

Could this be the answer to everyones' woes? Just don't tell Trump!!

https://youtu.be/NpxlKV0fXR4

[Catlover]

Thank you Brinsley for lightening the mood and bringing back some good memories

[EnjoyingTheSun]

Enjoying the Sun

I am guessing sarcasm is the norm for you which is also why Erol finds your comments condescending, as do I.
Not going to be drawn into a discussion with you, not worth the time and effort to be honest.
Try "Enjoying the Sun" instead of being so negative.

Stay safe everyone.

As I walked my dog past a couple of restaurants that were completely empty for the fifth night on the trot I wasn’t 100% sure they were thriving or not so told them to stay positive and think outside the box.