Turkish officials delay school reopenings as new daily COVID-19 cases remain above 1,100
Turkish health officials delayed plans to reopen schools later this month, as medical experts warn of rising infection rates throughout the country.
ISTANBUL – Turkish officials delayed plans to reopen schools this month following a Science Committee meeting Wednesday in which medical experts voiced concerns over rising coronavirus rates as daily recorded cases remain above 1,100 in the country.
Schools were scheduled to open Aug. 31, but Education Minister Ziya Selcuk said in a speech Wednesday that students would instead take online courses starting on the same date. Selcuk added private schools could begin online courses as early as Aug. 17.
Medical professionals tracking the pandemic said case numbers have increased since restrictions were lifted in early June and warned infection rates could rise further if strict precautions are not soon implemented.
“I think opening the schools with these numbers will invite disaster,” Emrah Altindis, an assistant professor of biology at Boston College, told Al-Monitor.
