From July 1, weddings, engagements, and ceremonies were generally banned in 14 provinces of Turkey, although weddings were generally banned in other provinces. However, as of today, the ban has been extended to 14 provinces across the country.
The statement came from Turkish Health Minister Fahrattin Koca, Qadin.Net reports quoting publika.az. He cited mass infections at a wedding in Bursa province in late August as the reason for the government's radical move. COVID-19 was found in 42 people attending the wedding, and 150 people were quarantined as part of preventive measures. The Minister of Health said that the country is experiencing the second peak of the first wave of coronavirus. "The carelessness of the holidays and weddings has put us in this situation," he said.
Today, the decision of the Turkish government proves once again that the ban on wedding houses and weddings in Azerbaijan was a timely step in terms of human security. Although some called on other countries, including Turkey, to lift and ease the ban on weddings, citing the example of Turkey, the decision remained unchanged. Since the introduction of the pandemic quarantine regime in the country, the government has unequivocally banned weddings and mourning ceremonies.
Chief infectious disease specialist Jalal Isayev told Publika.az that the main reason for the increase in the number of infections in Turkey was the holding of weddings, as well as the fact that the participants did not wait for social distance and did not use masks:
"This shows that the government's unequivocal ban on weddings and mourning ceremonies since the introduction of the pandemic quarantine regime in our country is an important decision. Of course, thanks to this decision, mass infections were prevented in Azerbaijan. In all cases, the crowds, especially indoors, contribute to the rapid spread of the disease. Turkey has also seen in its own experience that weddings and engagement ceremonies are exacerbating the situation amid a pandemic. Therefore, it is understandable that certain restrictions should be placed on lavish weddings.
According to the new decision, starting from September 4, only marriage ceremonies in Turkey can last one hour. We have been allowed to hold weddings within the same restrictions since the beginning of the pandemic. ”
MP Fazil Mustafa noted that weddings, engagements and henna ceremonies create favorable conditions for increasing the number of patients: “Turkey is a big country, of course, they came to this conclusion after research. Studies have shown that such weddings cause mass infections. Why does the government need to complicate the work of citizens? Citizens in our country were dissatisfied with the fact that the decision on the wedding has not been changed yet. In any case, it is possible to hold weddings in a simplified form. People can celebrate this significant day with family members.