Turkey to start scanning all international passengers as coronavirus gains speed

Turkey on Thursday will start scanning all passengers coming from international flights with thermal cameras amid the coronavirus outbreak, the country's health minister said on Wednesday.

On Feb. 3, Turkey decided to start scanning travelers coming from Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia through thermal cameras.

“Since the coronavirus does not usually infect children under the age of 15, schools should not be uneasy," Fahrettin Koca told a news conference in the Turkish capital Ankara.

He said there were enough protective face masks in the country and the capacity to produce them further.

China put in orders for a total of 200 million protective face masks from Turkish medical firms during the second half of January.

Referring to the flight crew and medical team which evacuated 42 people from China, he said they could be kept under observation after Monday based on the suggestion by the scientific committee.

The virus, which originated in Wuhan, is said to have been transmitted to humans from animals, particularly bats.

The coronavirus has raised alarms worldwide, with cases reported across Asia, Europe, the U.S., and Canada.

Beyond China, the virus has spread to over 20 countries, including Belgium, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the U.S., Singapore, France, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, India, Nepal, Russia and Canada.