Altuğra "Wearing masks in closed places is recommended"

The Minister of Health İzlem Gürçağ Altuğra said that the compulsory decision to wear masks in closed spaces, including schools has been changed to a recommendation in line with the decrease in weekly Covid-19 cases.

According to the weekly Covid-19 figures, Health Minister Altuğra said that the struggle against the virus had been drawn back from an orange to a yellow category but added that wearing masks at hospitals, prisons and elderly care homes will still be required.

An appointment system will start on October 1st.

Referring to the Gazimağusa State Hospital, Altuğra said that 48 physicians and 136 nurses were currently providing services at the hospital and added that there was also a new development.

Minister Altuğra noted that patients can get an appointment with a doctor at the Gazimağusa State Hospital more easily by calling 1101, just as is the case at the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Lefkoşa.

Stating that the 1101 appointment call centre will be serving the public as of today at the Gazimağusa State Hospital, Altuğra said that following the transition period, the system will be fully operational on October 1st.

Obligation to wear masks at schools lifted Responding to a question on the requirement of wearing masks, Altuğra said that they had updated the measures according to the course of the Covid-19 virus.

Stating that the case numbers were shared with the public weekly, Health Minister Altuğra said that the course of the virus was an orange category in light of last week’s figures and that brought on the obligation to wear masks.

Whereas this week’s tests and positive case figures prove that the course of the virus was a yellow category.

Therefore the obligatory decision to wear a mask in close spaces will be lifted and will be a recommendation instead.

Health Minister Altuğra said that since case numbers are a yellow category the obligation to wear a mask will be in the form of advice except for places such as hospitals, prisons and elderly care homes, masks will still be required.