2,807 Citizens Evacuated from Europe, Quarantined in İstanbul, Kocaeli

Vice President Oktay has announced that the evacuation of 2,807 citizens who wanted to return to Turkey from nine European countries has been completed as of 6 a.m. today.

İstanbul

* Photo & Source: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Vice President Fuat Oktay has announced that 2,807 citizens of Turkey have been brought home at their request from nine European countries following a flight ban as part of new coronavirus (Covid-19) measures.

Sharing a message on his Twitter account earlier today (March 18), Vice President Oktay has indicated that the evacuation of 2,807 citizens from Germany, Spain, France, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands was completed as of 6 a.m. today.

Announcing that the evacuated citizens have been put under 14-day quarantine in dormitories in İstanbul and Kocaeli, Oktay has said, "All measures for their health, safety, nutrition, and accommodation have been taken in line with the rules set by the Health Ministry and Science Board."

Referring to the incident where two passengers from France were taken out of the bus on its way to the quarantine site in İstanbul last night, Oktay has noted that "a probe and an investigation have been launched into the incidents that were contrary to the quarantine conditions."

3 dormitories designated for quarantine

The decision in question was taken at a meeting on coronavirus measures held by Vice President Fuat Oktay, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu, Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca and Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Mehmet Cahit Turhan on March 15. The following decisions were announced following the meeting:

"As part of a statement made by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the flights from Germany, Spain, France, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands to our country will be suspended as from March 15 at 24.00.

Turkey has the first death from the novel coronavirus outbreak, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced late in the evening on March 17, 2020.

The deceased person was an 89-year-old man who contracted the virus from one of his employees who had been to China, Koca stated at a press conference in Ankara.

The minister also announced that 51 more people tested positive for the virus in one day, bringing the tally to 98 cases.

"Our citizens who have temporarily traveled for a short time to or who have been studying in the aforementioned countries and want to return to our country shall apply to the Turkish diplomatic missions in those countries until Monday, March 16 at 17:00 local time. The return process for the applicants to the country will be completed until Tuesday, March 17 at 24.00.

"Our citizens returning to our country in this way will be held in quarantine/observation care for 14 days within the scope of the precautions taken by the Ministry of Health and the Board of Science."

The Ministry of Youth and Sports announced that the evacuated citizens would be quarantined in following public dorms in İstanbul:

* KYK Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Male Student Dorm,

* KYK Fatih Sultan Mehmet Male-Female Student Dorm,

* KYK Florya Beşyol Female Student Dorm.

In a press conference held in the capital city of Ankara on March 16, Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca 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.

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. Worldwide, out of over 197,000 confirmed cases, the death toll now exceeds 7,900, while more than 81,000 patients have recovered, according to Worldometer, a website that compiles new case numbers.

The epicenter of coronavirus/Covid-19 has moved from China to Europe, according to a statement by the World Health Organization.

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.

(TP/SD)