Health Minister Fahrettin Koca issued warnings after the Scientific Committee meeting regarding the Eid al-Adha holiday and people aged 65 and over. According to the latest information, Minister Koca advised that Eid prayer should be performed outdoors while observing physical distancing rules. Extra attention to hygiene is necessary during the slaughtering of animals and distribution of meat. Mass gatherings for holiday greetings should be avoided and large festive meals should not be organized. Visits should be kept short. The minister specifically urged those over 65 and individuals with chronic illnesses to accept holiday congratulations by phone. Handshakes and hugs should be avoided in all circumstances.
Will There Be Intercity Travel Restrictions for Eid al-Adha? Can People Aged 65+ Travel?
Following the Scientific Committee meeting, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca shared key points. The committee was unable to meet last week due to the July 15 events, but met this week. One outcome was that future meetings will continue by videoconference and—provided conditions permit—will return to in-person sessions starting next Wednesday. The main agenda items included the daily new case count falling below 1,000 and developments that could cause patient numbers to rise again. The committee reviewed progression to pneumonia among cases and the status of intubated patients. They also discussed the public communication strategy and the common language used when sharing COVID-19 data.
New Case Numbers
The decline in daily new patient numbers below 1,000 is both an advantage in the fight against the pandemic and a morale booster. However, the number of new cases remains comparable to the number of recoveries. The minister described the situation as stable for now and not posing an immediate threat to the health system, but emphasized that this is not a definitive success. He stressed the need to further reduce patient numbers to widen the margin of safety.
Cases and Testing
Case detection often occurs when symptomatic patients seek hospital care. Minister Koca noted that asymptomatic individuals are less likely to be diagnosed unless actively tested. Nationwide contact tracing complements case detection, and people identified through tracing are tested accordingly. This approach helps find infections that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Football Matches
Regarding football matches, Minister Koca said the Scientific Committee finds the late-season displays concerning. Watching matches on large outdoor screens in crowds resembling stadium stands can facilitate transmission and accelerate the spread of the virus. He urged fans to remember that enthusiasm for the last fixtures on July 24, 25 and 26 should not make them forget the ongoing threat of the pandemic.
Will Intercity Travel Be Restricted for Eid al-Adha?
Those traveling to their hometowns for Eid are advised to depart at times that avoid traffic congestion. Vehicles should not be overcrowded, and all protective measures should be followed. Eid prayer should be held outdoors with distancing observed. Extra care with hygiene is necessary when slaughtering animals and distributing meat. Mass greetings and large holiday meals should be avoided. Visits should be limited, and whenever possible holiday greetings should be conveyed by phone.
Citizens Aged 65 and Over
People aged 65 and over, especially those with chronic illnesses, are urged to accept holiday congratulations by telephone. There should be no handshakes or hugs, and hand hygiene must be observed. If gatherings do occur, outdoor settings are preferable. During the holiday, adherence to mask use and physical distancing is more important than ever.