‘Diyarbakır, Urfa, Mardin and Şırnak have become new centers of outbreak’

* Photo: AA

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The Democratic Society Congress (DTK) and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) have released a statement about the current situation in Turkey's southeastern provinces amid novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Raising their concerns about the recent surge in the region, especially following the reopening on June 1, the statement has also called on citizens to observe coronavirus measures on Eid al-Adha, which will be observed in Turkey for four days as of tomorrow (July 31).

The joint statement has briefly read as follows:

"Everyday, tables are shared about the outbreak, it is said that the spread of the virus is low and the state has become successful about this issue.

"When we especially consider the increasing number of patients in our region, the inability to find vacant beds in hospitals and the existence of a quarantined area in almost every neighborhood, it will be seen that these data do not overlap with the reality.

'Do not get complacent'

"As these data are shared with the public and the measures have been eased, it has caused the society to get complacent, thereby preparing the ground for bigger waves in the future. Therefore, in the face of the state, which makes an example of irresponsibility, we - as people - should avoid being complacent and keep on taking necessary measures.

"After the restrictions on returns from umrah, people's arrival from big cities to villages, religious ceremonies held for expressing condolences and wedding ceremonies have been lifted, our region, especially Diyarbakır, Urfa, Mardin, Van and Şırnak cities, have become a center of the outbreak.

"Condolences, weddings, engagements, memorial services, visits to graveyard and sick, hosting guests, which are important for socialization, are the main activities that need to be postponed in such a period.

'Avoid taking part in such activities for a while'

"These traditions, which we accept as the important norms of our culture, accelerate the spread of the disease.

"For that reason, we have to avoid taking part in such activities for a while to protect our own health in such a period when the state has left the society alone with the outbreak and abandoned it to death.

"We believe that our people will show due attention to masks, distance and, especially, maintaining their hand hygiene. It would be a delusion to expect something from the state and government in this process.

'Pay heed to recommendations of health workers'

"The Diyarbakır Health Platform has indicated that the current situation in the city is alarming and, if measures are not taken, Diyarbakır might be like Italy and Spain in the wake of Eid al-Adha.

"Noting that the number of patients is above Turkey average, the platform has stated that one third of cases across Turkey are in our region.

"Drawing attention to the upcoming feast, it has also noted that if citizens fail to observe the measures during the feast, the number of cases will increase even further. We also expect our people to show more sensitivity to these calls of healthcare workers.

"Accordingly, we believe that we will overcome these hard days with a collective spirit and practice. With this belief, we ask our people to pay heed to the recommendations of health workers during Eid al-Adha."

Concluding the statement, the DBP and DTK have also listed a series of precautions to be taken by citizens to protect themselves from the virus. (RT/SD)