Despite the Turkish government decision to close border gates with Eastern Kurdistan due to the coronavirus outbreak, it was learned that the gates were opened during the night to allow trucks loaded with vegetables and fruits.
The new type of coronavirus, as announced by the World Health Organization, has reached the level of a pandemic and continues to take hundreds of lives every day. This prompted countries to implement a series of drastic measures in an attempt to avoid the virus to spread.
The Turkish state has officially closed commercial gates at the border with Iran. In a circular signed by Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu, all relevant institutions in 81 provinces were informed about the "measures taken". This included "measures to be taken at border gates".
Following the Circular, all borders gates and roads, such as Agri-Gürbulak, Van-Kapıköy, Hakkari-Esendere, Igdir-Dilucu Van-Kapıköy were closed on 23 February.
However, despite this decision, it has been confirmed that cross-bording activity did not stopped.
The Kapıköy border gate in the district of Saray in Van was kept closed during the day but has been opened at night.
It was learned that two trucks of watermelons and kiwi crossed the border at Kapıköy from Iran to Turkey on Monday night.
In total, 42 tons of watermelons and 42 tons of kiwi have been brought to Van together with other vegetables. It was learned that these people who trade at night told shopkeepers that they purchase food in Iran, adding that they bring eggs to Iran and bring back kiwi to Turkey.
Some tradesmen in vegetables expressed their concerns by stating that this secret trade threatens health.
