The coronavirus panic is spreading in Van, Ağrı, Hakkari and Iğdır, on the borders with Eastern Kurdistan. Field hospitals were established in Van and Ağrı, and this caused more panic. People flocked to pharmacies in Hakkari, Van, Ağrı and Iğdır to buy masks. Indeed there are no masks left in pharmacies. Masks are now only available on the black market when they are sold at exorbitant prices. 

Masks previously sold in pharmacies for 3 Turkish liras are now sold for 15 Turkish liras. 

The border gates in Van, Ağrı, Hakkari and Iğdır were closed as deaths in Iran reached 30. Dozens of people who moved from Eastern Kurdistan / Iran to North Kurdistan were quarantined as they showed suspicion symptoms but most were later discharged.

Field hospitals were established in Van Kapıköy Customs Gate and Ağrı Gürbulak Border Gate to face possible emergencies linked to the spread of the coronavirus. 30 people from Eastern Kurdistan trying to cross from Esendere border gate to Hakkari are kept at the border gate while a further 30 people are not allowed to go to Hakkari.

Indicating that there are not enough doctors and equipment in the hospitals, the people say that the establishment of field hospitals shows how dire the situation is. Although border gates are said to be closed, it is stated that many Iranians continue to come to Van every day.