Addressing a meeting with members of the Coronavirus Science Board, Erdoğan said: “The requirement of wearing masks indoors, in force for about three years as part of the Coronavirus measures, has been lifted totally. Mask-use will continue for some more time only inside public transport vehicles and health care facilities until the number of cases falls below 1,000.”

In a speech at the meeting, Erdoğan thanked members of the Science Board for their services since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, and said: “As is known, the last two years of the world have passed under the shadow of the pandemic. This process, which first started as a health threat, turned into an all-out crisis in a short while that affected every realm of life including production, consumption, transportation, tourism, sports, education and employment.”

“We waged a struggle that set an example for the world”

Noting that each and every country put up a fight against the pandemic in line with their own capacities and capabilities, Erdoğan stated: “Significant hardships were experienced as regards every item ranging from hospitals to health care personnel, masks to medication, ventilators to vaccine. We even witnessed that fights broke out to grab masks at the airports and border crossings of major countries. But, most importantly, states’ management skills were tested. Turkey is one of the few countries to have performed successfully in the face of these challenges. With our healthcare infrastructure, which didn’t fall apart under the heavy burden it faced, and with our healthcare personnel, whose altruism we all witnessed, we waged, under the coordination of the Health Ministry, a struggle that set an example for the world.”

Reiterating his gratitude to the treasured people of science who dedicated almost all of their working hours for the past two years to the fight against the pandemic without expecting any material gain in return, Erdoğan said: “We shall never forget the services delivered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by our 1.3 million-strong healthcare army, first and foremost by our Minister and his team. I congratulate the personnel of the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of National Education, Ministry of Family and Social Services, Presidency of Religious Affairs and all the other bodies who contributed to the struggle.” 

“Mask-use will continue for some more time inside public transport vehicles and healthcare facilities”

Pointing out that almost all the European countries abolished the restrictions as the pandemic ceased to be a mass threat, Erdoğan pointed out: “We believe that our country also has reached this level. As such, these topics have been discussed thoroughly during today’s meeting of the Coronavirus Science Board. The Science Board has decided that it no more needs to convene regularly unless an extraordinary situation comes about.”

Erdoğan continued his remarks as follows: “The Health Ministry will maintain its works within the framework of the Pandemic Management Action Plan. The requirement of wearing masks indoors, in force for about three years as part of the Coronavirus measures, has been lifted totally. Mask-use will continue for some more time only inside public transport vehicles and health care facilities until the number of cases falls below 1,000. The Science Board recommends that only people of advanced age as well as people who have chronic illnesses, are suspected of infection, and have been in contact with risky groups should continue to wear a mask.” (ILKHA)