New PCR test centre opened in Girne

A NEW PCR test centre has been set up in Girne next to the Karakum Lemar supermarket on Uğur Mumcu Caddesi.

The Covid test centre was opened following the closure of one at the Leymosun Culture House.

The tests are being conducted in a part of the building that has been allocated to the Health Ministry for free by the Özyalçın Group of Companies, which is also planning to allow another section of the building to be used for vaccinations.

Health Minister Ünal Üstel, together with ministry officials and Özyalçın directors Yağmur Özyalçın and Yaprak Özyalçın, visited the newly opened PCR test centre on Monday, according to a Health Ministry statement.

During the visit Mr Üstel, who was seen on crutches, reportedly due to a knee operation, stated the necessity of PCR testing due to the Covid-19 outbreak warranted the opening of new PCR test centres in all districts of the TRNC “for the convenience of citizens”.

Mr Üstel noted that Girne Municipality-run Leymosun Culture House had served as a PCR centre for some time but the municipality had “suddenly and inexplicably closed this centre”, forcing health authorities to shift testing to Girne Dr Akçiçek

State Hospital’s emergency polyclinic.

In a bid to eliminate the resulting overcrowding at the hospital, Mr Üstel said that Yağmur and Yaprak Özyalçın, who he thanked, had allocated the building to the Health Ministry in memory of their father, Oğuz Özyalçın.