Minister of Health Dr Fahrettin Koca delivered a speech in the press conference following the Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board meeting.
Expressing that the meeting was held in a highly positive atmosphere, Minister Koca said “because, I am going to give you great news that you have been waiting for so long after your outstanding patience. Today I am going to mention about the relaxations rather than the restrictions.”
Reminding that he was inviting everyone to comply with restrictive measures over the last two years, Minister Koca stated that the time has come to review everything at this point.
Emphasizing that Türkiye has been one of the countries that comprehended the severity of COVID-19 outbreak, Koca said “Our struggle against the disease kept solemnly. The Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board has monitored and evaluated the developments closely and made its recommendations accordingly. The Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board took taken all precautions long before the World Health Organization had declared the pandemic. I would like to thank each member of the Board.”
“Türkiye is one of the countries that has taken action rapidly”
Underlining that all relevant actions were taken from the very onset of the outbreak, Minister Fahrettin Koca said “All around the world, Türkiye is one of the countries that has acted very rapidly. Therefore, Türkiye is among the countries that have been less affected from the outbreak when case numbers are taken into account.”
Minister Koca noted that compared to the past, the outbreak affects the social life much less. Thus, he expressed his appreciation to the scientists, healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, the personnel of related ministries and the nation complying with the measures paving the way leading to this achievement.
Koca highlighted that at this point, the fight against COVID-19 would be primarily continued with the vaccination and added that the drug used for the treatment of the disease has started to be distributed to the people who are over the age of 65 and immunocompromised.
Minister Koca announced the decisions taken during the meeting as follows:
“Masks will no longer be required outdoors. If the ventilation in indoor spaces is convenient and physical distancing is followed, masks are no longer mandatory. In the new period, HES code is lifted. HES code will no longer be checked. COVID-19 tests will not be requested from the people without symptoms. From now on, the measure requiring the closure of a classroom altogether when two cases are identified is not considered necessary. Only the student with positive test result will be isolated and the education activities will continue.
Koca also stressed that psychological rehabilitation needed is also target by the decisions taken upon the decline of the outbreak and added that “Different assessments on this issue might be observed. Nevertheless, no one should doubt that as the Ministry, we are trying to do our best and to take the right decision on behalf of everyone.”
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