I took a chance on TRNC — my mistake

I ARRIVED in the TRNC from the United States of America on Friday, May 7. I’ve been visiting the TRNC since 2000 and previously the South side before my parents decided to purchase a home in the North. I also recently purchased a home in 2019 and applied for residency in 2020. My residency application is being processed after my police report was conducted.

Due to the pandemic, I have been waiting anxiously to return to the TRNC after leaving in November 2020. My parents, who I haven’t seen in six months, and my home in the lovely village of Karşıyaka await me. I’ve been reading every article that comes out about when people who have been vaccinated can enter TRNC. South Cyprus put out an official notification in April welcoming US citizens who have been vaccinated. Much of the news indicated that in May the TRNC Health Ministry will allow vaccinated people to quarantine at home.

According to the ministry rules, those who have had a minor operation within the last month are eligible for home quarantine using the electronic wristband system.

I have had a minor operation and, excitedly, I booked a flight for myself and my daughter, who has just finished her first year of college online.

I emailed the Health Ministry with my request to home quarantine and sent them my medical records for a minor operation, vaccination, residency in process permit and my parents’ information.

I requested to quarantine with my elderly parents as they have been vaccinated. This is normal and accepted by CDC [US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] standards. I received an email back “saying my application is being considered” in Turkish. I contacted a wellknown taxi driver who has been helping many expats submit their documents. He went to the Health Ministry and submitted the documents on my behalf as well.

My flight was from Washington Dulles leaving May 5, 2021, and arriving in the TRNC on May 7. Turkish Airlines decided we needed a 15-hour layover transit in İstanbul. My entire family has been vaccinated with two shots of Moderna in March and April (full immunity). I have completed two Covid tests (one on Monday, May 3, to get me on my May 5 flight) and one on May 4, to get me into the TRNC. As I was leaving Washington Dulles, the airline asked me if I had paid for my home quarantine. I told the lady at the desk that I was still waiting to hear on final approval, but that I had downloaded the “Stay Safe” mobile phone application. She said she was unable to let us on the flight until payment had been made. Interestingly, I’d been trying to have the Stay Safe application send me a security code to enter the application for over a week on two different android devices with no luck. My teen then and there decided to download the app and try on her iPhone, which apparently worked right away. Does this app work on iPhone only? We paid for one wristband and presented proof of payment at the desk so that we could board our flight.

After a 10-hour flight and 15-hour transit in İstanbul we made it to lovely Cyprus at 8.40am, Friday May 7. The Health Ministry official asked for my documents upon arrival and asked me to go to passport control. I informed them that I had applied for home quarantine and would need a wristband. I had all my medical records, vaccination cards, home contract, and residency application. They started calling around and asked me to wait. One guy came back and said: “Your application was denied.”

“Why?” I asked. No-one knew. One lady suggested that maybe it was because I requested quarantine at home with my parents. I informed her I can go to my own home with my daughter and stay there.

They refused and said I either “go back” or enter hotel quarantine. “Go back?” Do they know how long it took me to get here with no sleep? I got my luggage and asked the Health Ministry official about the bracelet I had already paid 750TL for. They said to email the ministry to get a refund. Seriously? I hope they answer this time.

On the ride to the quarantine hotel, the taxi driver said he would contact the ministry so that he could drive me home if he was able to get approval. I waited and waited and a few hours later he informed me that the Health Ministry told me my home quarantine application had been denied and that he had been told not to keep bothering them. I was brought to a three-star hotel. They first checked me into a room next to the part of the hotel that is under construction. The room had no Wi-Fi and the bathroom was in an awful condition – something in a million years I would never have paid money to stay in. At that moment I felt completely overwhelmed. I felt like I would get Covid just staying in this room. Yes, I cried, I sobbed. After complaining, the hotel kindly checked me into a different location and a newer building.

I wrote this letter on my first day of quarantine thinking what went wrong? I did take a chance to come to North Cyprus, eager to celebrate the last few days of Ramadan with my parents, Mother’s Day and Eid alFitr. Why am I unable to go to my home? Give me one reason, one logical reason? If I have the electronic bracelet on me, with my daughter being home, how will we harm anyone? While the entire world is opening up, and with the money I’m investing in the TRNC, today made me question every decision I have made. I could have been in the US Virgin Islands, where everyone welcomes me, but I chose North Cyprus. Why didn’t I get a home in Puerto Rico? It’s a lovely island in the Caribbean, but I chose the TRNC. Shouldn’t the TRNC choose me? Do you know how many people from the TRNC I employed to get my house ready? From contractor, to plumber, to electrician, to pool maintenance, to furniture stores. Did I not help your economy? Well, for crying out loud it’s a two-way street. HELP ME HELP YOU!

I can’t see any logical reason behind the injustice that happened to me today – yes, injustice! No logical reason to provide options to quarantine at home for ANYONE that has a home, especially for the ones who have been vaccinated, who should also have a shorter quarantine requirement. Did I take a chance on the TRNC, even though I didn’t get the official approval? Yes, I did and that was my mistake, I do own that one. Too bad the TRNC didn’t take a chance on me.

Truly crushed!