Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca has criticized citizens for flocking to Istanbul’s İstiklal Avenue with complete disregard to social distancing amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“The scenes of İstiklal Avenue were not good today. It’s too soon for that many people to enter a single photograph,” Koca tweeted early on May 6, while sharing a picture from the street.
“All pictures from daily life need to support the daily coronavirus chart,” he said, referring to the ministry’s daily chart that includes the number of new coronavirus cases and the death toll.
“Let’s try to stay at home. If we leave, let’s use masks and abide by the social distancing rule,” Koca added.
Turkey began discussing the steps towards normalization after a decrease in the number of cases and the death toll. However, experts urge authorities to be careful during the process to avoid a second wave of the outbreak.