Erdogan Warns of Economic Damage From Outbreak After First Death
Turkey Confirms Country’s First Death Due to Coronavirus
(Bloomberg) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan convened officials and business leaders to decide on measures to support the economy and prevent the coronavirus outbreak from spreading, a day after the country reported its first death from the disease.
“There will be serious economic consequences” since the coronavirus has virtually brought daily life to a standstill, Erdogan said. “We are facing the necessity to prevent the virus from spreading and keep alive production, trade and employment in the economy.”
Erdogan called on the private sector to help the government maintain the economy’s recovery from a 2018 currency crisis and said he will announce measures taken during the meeting at a news conference later Wednesday.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Turkey increased to 98 after Health Minister Fahrettin Koca reported 51 new ones late Tuesday. An 89-year-old patient who died is thought to have contracted the virus from someone with links to China, Koca said.
Ahead of the Erdogan-led meeting, Turkey restricted the export of cologne and chemicals used to produce sanitizers as demand skyrocketed at home. Sales abroad of hydrogen peroxide, meltblown fabric, ethyl alcohol, disinfectant and cologne will be subject to government approval, according to the Official Gazette.
Turkey boosted liquidity to markets on Tuesday as it is braced for a possible sustained hit to the economy. Authorities have shut down many businesses where people tend to mingle, including tea houses and clubs, to mitigate the risk.
Erdogan said Turkey could emerge as an alternative manufacturing destination to China, where the virus spread first.
“The developments following the virus outbreak and a drop in oil prices will offer additional advantages to Turkey,” he said.
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