New Measures Against Covid-19 in Turkey

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The Ministry of Interior and the Coronavirus Science Board of Turkey have adopted a series of new measures against Covid-19, the new strain of coronavirus, with which 47 people have been diagnosed in Turkey so far.

In an additional circular letter sent to the Governor's Offices in all 81 provinces, a series of new "Coronavirus Measures" have been listed.

Accordingly, as of this midnight (March 17):

Theaters, cinemas, performance and concert halls, wedding venues, music halls/restaurants/cafes, refreshment bars, beerhouses, taverns, coffee houses, cafeterias, shisha salons and cafes, internet salons and cafes, all types of amusement arcades, all types of indoors children's play areas (including those inside restaurants and shopping malls), tea gardens, association bars, amusement parks, swimming pools, hamams, saunas, thermal springs, massage parlors, SPAs and sports centers have been temporarily closed.
All types of meetings and activities that bring people together including Non-Governmental Organizations' (associations and foundations) general assemblies and trainings (except for requisite executive activities) have been postponed.
All funeral gatherings traditionally held at homes have also been temporarily suspended.

Flight ban extended to six other countries

In a press conference held in the capital city of Ankara earlier yesterday, Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca has also announced that Turkey made additions to its flight ban list, with flights now banned to the UK, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ireland the UAE as of 8 a.m. today, bringing the total number of countries with flight bans to 20.

The flights from Germany, Spain, France, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands to Turkey were also previously suspended as of March 15 at 24.00. İstanbul Governor's Office also announced that the citizens arriving in the city from these nine countries would be quarantined in three students' dormitories in İstanbul.

Flights from China, Italy, Iran, Iraq and South Korea to Turkey were also previously suspended as part of coronavirus/Covid-19 measures.

Coronavirus cases around the world

The virus emerged in Wuhan, China last December, and has spread to at least 146 countries and territories. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic. Out of 173,000 confirmed cases, the death toll now exceeds 6,600, while more than 77,500 patients have recovered, according to Worldometer, a website that compiles new case numbers.

You can see the number of coronavirus cases and death toll by countries in below interactive map shared by Washington University:

How to protect oneself from the new Coronavirus?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the protective measures against the new coronavirus (Covid-19) can be briefly listed as follows:

Wash your hands frequently

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

Maintain social distancing

Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

Practice respiratory hygiene

Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.

(EKN/SD)