PodcastBatman governor, police chief violate coronavirus rules during wedding party
Batman governor and police chief were seen flouting the coronavirus measures during a wedding party, daily Sözcü reported on Aug. 24. Gov. Hulusi Şahin had his photo taken without his mask on, whereas Police Chief Köroğlu Kıraç performed halay dance with guests.
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The governor and police chief of the southeastern province of Batman have themselves violated the rules that need to be complied with during the wedding parties as part of coronavirus measures.
Gov. Hulusi Şahin was seen without his mask on during a wedding party in the province, whereas Police Chief Köroğlu Kıraç performed halay dance, joining hands with other guests in the party, daily Sözcü reported on Aug. 24.
The Batman Governor's Office released a statement regarding the photos, saying that Gov. Şahin took of his mask for only “a couple of seconds” and “upon the request of the bride and groom.”
Thegovernor's office also claimed that the release of the photos to thepublic was an attempt of “evil-minded circles to sabotage theefforts to fight the virus” in Batman.
As for why halay dance was performed in the wedding ceremony, the governor's office did not make a statement.
Turkey allowed wedding halls to open again at the end of June as it wound down some of its last major coronavirus curbs in a bid to return life to normal and revive the economy. However the Interior Ministry issued a circular making it mandatory for guests to wear their masks at all times and and prohibiting the halay dance, a staple of Turkish weddings.
Meanwhile, this is not the first time that Batman Gov. Şahin has been seen without his mask on in public. He previously had his photo taken with nine businesspeople, none of whom were wearing their masks.