Minister of Health issues statement about plane landing at Esenboga, in Ankara

Regarding the THY plane which was directed to land  to Ankara instead of Istanbul, the Minister of Health made a written statement which read as follows:

“As it is known, as of February 23, land, iron and airline crossings with our neighbor Iran have been halted. Our land borders are mutually closed but returns are ongoing for Iranian citizens who want to return to Iran from our country by airline.

Stressing that a special flight was organized for Turkish citizens who wanted to return to the country from Iran, Minister Koca said, “Turkish citizens who came to our country from Iran will be kept under observation for 14 days. In this context, Turkish Airlines flight TK879 to Tehran is scheduled to land in Ankara. The 132 Turkish passengers and crew on board the aircraft were evacuated and transported to Dr. Zekai Tahir Burak hospital prepared for the first checks and quarantine processes.

After the detailed health checks of the passengers, their samples will be taken and their tests will be completed at our National Virology Laboratory.”