Cyprus riot police used pepper spray on Saturday to thwart Turkish Cypriot protesters trying to shove their way through a recently barricaded crossing point in the heart of the ethnically divided island nation's capital.
The Cypriot government closed four of nine crossing points along a 120 mile, United Nations controlled buffer zone last week, justifying the move on public health grounds. It said it would better enable medical staff to screen for potential coronavirus carriers crossing from the breakaway, Turkish Cypriot north, to the internationally recognized, Greek Cypriot south.
Several dozen protesters tried to push their way through a cordon of riot police on the Greek Cypriot side of the east Mediterranean island nation but were held back. Police said protesters hurled rocks during the brief demonstration, while four Greek Cypriot officers were injured.
Additional health workers have been posted to the other openings for more thorough checks. Cyprus has so far not confirmed coronavirus cases.