Protesters, police scuffle at Cyprus checkpoint closed over coronavirus

Turkish Cypriots scuffle with Greek Cypriot policemen at Ledra's checkpoint of the U.N.-controlled buffer zone, after authorities declared the crossing temporarily shut to curb any potential spread of coronavirus, Cyprus March 7, 2020. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglu

NICOSIA (Reuters) - Greek Cypriot police fired pepper spray on Saturday when skirmishes broke out with protesters angry that a checkpoint on the ethnically split island was closed in what authorities have said was a precaution against coronavirus, witnesses said.

Cyprus announced the temporary closure of four checkpoints on the divided island on Feb. 28, the first closure since crossings between the two sides were eased in 2003 after decades of estrangement.