Many businesses in Turkey have taken a hit due to COVID-19. Shopping malls and restaurants are closed, and factories are shut down. But one industry is flourishing – disinfection services. CGTN's Michal Bardavid reports.
If there's one thing that people around the world want right now – it's to keep safe from COVID-19. Health officials are stressing hygiene – and for businesses – that means using disinfection services.
The disinfection industry in Turkey has been booming.
MICHAL BARDAVID Istanbul "In Istanbul, we're seeing new disinfecting businesses pop-up in small districts, for example, many car washers have added disinfecting cars to their services, this one has a large banner advertising just that."
SULEYMAN YAZICI Car Cleaning Shop Owner "Right now, we have an intense demand due to COVID-19. So many people have started to provide this service, but it's beneficial, it's healthy, as long as they use ministry-approved products. We think it's a good thing."
Uzman is a disinfection company that's been around since 1997. It has been providing services to a number of industries; especially health, food, logistics and production.
RECEP CINGITAS General Manager, Uzman Corporation "We have gained experience from the past. We're putting the lessons learned during SARS, the swine flu and the bird flu to use in the fight against COVID-19."
Cingitas says there's been a huge demand for their services.
RECEP CINGITAS General Manager, Uzman Corporation "We have new clients that didn't have a clue about disinfection before. These are mostly large global corporations that employ over 100 people. Many of them had never used disinfection services but are now among our new clientele."
One of them believes everyone should be applying these measures.
NEZAHAT AKKAYA General Manager, Artibasim "We regularly disinfect our offices because we really care about our employees and our customers. We, too, are important, of course. Our company will continue to take all the necessary precautions to end the spread of the virus."
As the Turkish government prepares to ease some restrictions – many businesses open to the public will likely be required to disinfect, making the industry even more critical in the months to come. Michal Bardavid, CGTN, Istanbul.
