The decision was made by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

On behalf of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the sale of medical masks in Turkey is prohibited, they are issued to citizens on demand on a free basis.

Against the background of a shortage of medical masks and medical equipment to counter the novel coronavirus (Сovid-19) pandemic in other countries of the world, the production of masks and disinfectants in Turkey has increased sharply.

Thanks to the well-coordinated work of government agencies and the private sector, steps have been taken in recent weeks to increase the production of medical products.

Following the detection of the first cases of coronavirus infection, the Turkish Ministry of Commerce launched raids to keep the prices of masks, disinfectants and food from rising. The checks were carried out in all (81) provinces of the country.

After analyzing the complaints received, he imposed a fine of 10 Turkish lira on 900 companies trying to cash in on the situation.

Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekdan said the authorities are taking all necessary steps to meet the needs of the domestic market. Customs duties on the import of medical masks and ventilators were abolished. At the same time, the export of medical equipment from the country was limited by a license from the Turkish Ministry of Health.

Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank, in turn, said there were no problems in the production of masks.

Varank said that Turkey has all the necessary means for the production of surgical masks, N95 masks and protective overalls.

According to the minister, materials are produced in Turkey for the production of 25 million masks per day, the daily production capacity of masks has reached 8 million units.

In parallel with the authorities' efforts to combat the pandemic, Turkish scientists have begun developing a vaccine against the coronavirus.

The Ministry of Industry and Technology, in close cooperation with the Turkish Agency for Scientific and Technological Research TÜBİTAK, has given a research program to create a vaccine and drugs for Covid-19.

Defense enterprises have also joined in the production of the necessary equipment to counter the consequences of Covid-19.