Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

Hollywood star John Malkovich has been snapped wearing rubber gloves during his meeting with the mayor of Istanbul after Turkey recently reported its first case of the deadly COVID-19.

Malkovich and four of his associates met with the mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu at the Hotel Beyaz Kosk near Emirgan Park in the north-western Turkish city.

Both parties took necessary precautions with hand gloves and disinfectant, according to reports.

The American actor, 66, and his four friends arrived with latex gloves while Imamoglu offered everyone an ethanol-based disinfectant to thoroughly clean their hands.

Amid the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Turkey, Malkovich said he was visiting Istanbul for various cultural events and to shoot a movie.

According to local media, Malkovich told the Turkish mayor that he was gifted cufflinks with the image of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, during his trip, and Imamoglu promised to send him books on the national icon when the actor returns to the US.

Imamoglu, who comes from the Black Sea province of Trabzon, also told the actor about his background, and the meeting ended with Malkovich passing a DVD of his career highlights to the mayor.

Imamoglu later said on social media: “Even if our guest is John Malkovich, our meeting starts with a Turkish-style cologne [hand disinfectant] serving.”

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