Turkey plans to start face-to-face education this year

Turkey will return to face-to-face learning once the new semester begins, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced on Aug. 11. Koca also said that the parents of the students will either complete their vaccinations or have to present their negative PCR test results regularly.

Wednesday August 11 2021 10:53 pm

Children are seen at a classroom in Mardin in this file photo.

Reuters

Turkey will start face-to-face education as scheduled, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Aug. 11, and unvaccinated adults will have to be tested regularly against COVID-19.

"It is not possible for us to compromise face-to-face education ... We will take necessary measures to protect students and their families," Koca said in a speech following the coronavirus science council meeting.

Vaccination is a duty that cannot be left up to choice anymore Koca said adding that the teachers, instructors and families of the students should be vaccinated.

"Vaccine should be a must for business and education to continue, the people who are not vaccinated should present negative PCR test results regularly," Koca said.

Daily cases have surged from a low of just over 4,000 in early July to over 20,000 for the last two weeks, since authorities relaxed pandemic-related restrictions.

As of Aug. 11, half of Turkish adults have received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, Koca said on Twitter. Turkey has given nearly 6 million third doses to health workers and people over 50 years old.

Turkey plans to open schools in September.