By Emin Avundukluoglu
ANKARA (AA) – Amid new restrictions to fight a second wave of COVID-19, Turkey’s main opposition leader on Monday criticized the government’s handling of the outbreak.
"Don't take credit for the success of doctors and healthcare workers," Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Republican People's Party (CHP), told lawmakers during the 2021 budget debate in parliament, adding that they toil “24 hours a day.”
Kilicdaroglu said that instead of fighting the virus, the government has been fighting city governments led by his party.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week announced new coronavirus restrictions, including a curfew on weeknights and full weekend curfews.
Some sectors, including production, supply, health and agriculture, are exempt.
The announcement came after a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in Turkey, as well as European countries.
On Monday, Turkey reported 32,137 new COVID-19 infections, including 6,420 symptomatic patients, and 203 more deaths over the past 24 hours.