Minister of Health, Dr. Fahrettin Koca, delivered statements at the press conference held after the Coronavirus Scientific Committee Meeting.
Emphasizing that Turkey was in week 9 of the coronavirus pandemic, Koca noted that the whole effort had been a mobilization. Underlining the fact that the measures were adopted by the public, Koca said: "Cooperation and responsibility from all sides has brought us success. Our fight againts the coronavirus will be the most important mobilization."
"The fall in the number of new cases is a demonstration of success"
Adding that the fall in the number of new cases was a demonstration of success, Koca continued: "This number was a little over 1000 yesterday, when it falls under 1000, that will indicate success."
Noting that the world did not know when the virus would be completely eliminated, Koca said:"We are planning our lives because we do not know how long this fight will go on. In this new life we are planning, protective measures are of priority. Scientists all over the globe are warning us for this."
"If we follow the measures during the holiday, we can be freer after"
Koca warned everyone not to go out without wearing a mask and highlighted the importance of social distancing. Koca added: "If you follow one risk and disregard the other, you are not preventing the risk. Only by following the rules we can be more free. If we follow the measures during the holiday, we can be more free after."
"Life Fits Home" mobile application
Pointing out the "Life Fits Home" mobile application and noting that it had accumulated 10 million users, Koca continued: "The application has yet another very important function. A person can document that he is not a patient or a contact through this application."
Adding that the application would serve as an entry pass when boarding a plane, Koca said:"We will first make use of this application while travelling between provinces. You will be able to travel by plane or train by generating a code using the mobile application. Travel companies will take their own health safety measures. Then, if a passenger contracts the diseases, his/her contacts will be traced. Before traveling, you can get your code through the mobile application or through SMS. The goal of this is to ensure the utmost safety of all passengers."
"Health investments are a prerequisite of social welfare"
Noting that the whole word realized that health was the top priority, Koca added: "Health investments in Turkey are very on-point. Health safety is a right. Health investments are a prerequisite of social welfare."
Pointing out that they were planning on conducting health tourism activities in a controlled way, Koca continued: "We kicked off th health tourism season early. 31 countries, on which the pandemic had less impact, did so. We are aware that international flights are not running at the moment. If necessary, charter flights could be organized."
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