Minister Koca: Turkey Shuts Border with Iran Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca has made a statement about the coronavirus outbreak and further precautions to be taken by Turkey.

Reminding the rising death from coronavirus and the number of affected people in Turkey's neighboring country of Iran, Minister Koca has announced that Turkey has decided to close its border with the country.

There are three land border gates between Turkey and Iran, namely the border gates of Ağrı Gürbulak, Van Kapıköy and Hakkari Esendere. In addition to those three, there is also Dilucu Border Gate between Turkey's eastern province of Iğdır and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. With this latest decision, all these four borders have been temporarily closed.

"Based on international health regulation, the road and rail transits from Iran to Turkey were temporarily halted as of 5 p.m. local time on Sunday (February 23)", the Minister has told reporters in İstanbul.

Turkey has also temporarily halted all international arrival flights from Iran unilaterally as of 8 p.m. local time, Koca has announced further. However, international flights departing for Iran will continue.

'Five people tested negative in Van'

Sharing figures about the coronavirus cases in the world, Koca has indicated that the total number of coronavirus cases, lastly in Israel and Lebanon, has reached 74 thousand 402 and death toll is 2 thousand 464.

Referring to the latest situation in Iran, Koca has emphasized that additional measures are needed to reduce the border movement, as suggested by the Health Ministry's scientific committee.

"Due to the findings of the disease, at least eight citizens of Iran were not allowed to enter Turkey on Friday and Saturday", he has informed.

Minister Koca has also announced that five people, who were suspected with cold symptoms in Turkey's eastern province of Van, tested negative.

'Entry of vehicles, goods, passengers stopped'

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), Trade Minister of Turkey Ruhsar Pekcan has also shared information about the export and transit operations from Turkey to Iran.

While the operations heading from Turkey to its neighbor continue in a controlled manner, se has said that entries of all vehicles, goods and passengers from Iran have been temporarily stopped as a precaution.

According to Iran's Health Ministry, the death toll from coronavirus in Iran has risen to eight, and over 40 cases have been confirmed. (RT/SD)