Turkey: Inmates engage in fight against Covid-19

Inmates across 6 prisons in Turkey have engaged in the fight against fast-spreading Covid-19, producing 1.5 million single-use masks every month, the justice ministry announced.

“Inmate workshops that were recently launched in several Turkish prisons contribute to the production of 80 types of hospital supplies, including masks and suits for nurses and surgeons,” the ministry said.

Turkey on Monday reported 10,827 confirmed cases after 1,610 more people tested positive for the virus, and 168 deaths.

Monday President Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched a National Solidarity Campaign to aid fight the novel coronavirus, donating seven of his monthly salaries to the initiative, state-run Anadolu news agency reports.

Members of the cabinet and lawmakers also donated 5.2 million Turkish liras ($791,000) to the initiative.