Voters living in the north wishing to cross to the government-controlled areas on Sunday to vote will have to present a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours on their return to the north to avoid a 10-day self-isolation, it was announced on Thursday.

Presidency Commissioner, Photis Photiou, told the Cyprus News Agency that the Turkish Cypriot side has informed the government through the UN that the enclaved who cross on Sunday to vote for the parliamentary elections must present the negative PCR test certificate on their return to the north. The government had asked the Turkish Cypriot side to show understanding so that the enclaved would not have to self-isolate for 10 days on their return after voting.

The UN conveyed the north’s response on Wednesday evening.

Photiou had said earlier in the week that the vaccination programme for the enclaved has been completed and this was an additional reason that they should be allowed to cross easily.

There are in total 243 enclaved residents registered as voters: 193 Greek Cypriots and 50 Maronites.

The government has made arrangements for their transport with buses. People arriving from the Karpasia area will vote at the polling centre set up at Acheritou primary school in the Famagusta district and Maronites at the Kykkos Lyceum in Nicosia.