COVID-19: Wearing face masks is now mandatory all across Turkey
* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)
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Upon the recommendation of Health Ministry's Science Board and instruction of President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Ministry of Interior has sent an additional circular titled "COVID-19 Measures" to all governor's offices across Turkey.
As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), in a new measure to fight the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Turkey has now mandated the wearing of masks in all public areas in 81 provinces.
"Citizens are obliged to wear masks without exception in all areas (public areas, avenues, streets, parks, gardens, picnic areas, beaches, public transportation vehicles, workplaces, factories, etc.) across the country (excluding residences)," has stipulated the Interior Ministry's circular.
The circular has also prohibited food and entertainment establishments from having live or recorded music after midnight, which was previously announced by Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu.
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"No music (including live music, recordings, etc.) will be allowed under any circumstances in restaurants, cafes, hotels, and all similar food and beverage or entertainment venues after 24:00," has said the circular.
Addressing the reporters following a cabinet meeting in Ankara on Monday (September 7), President and ruling AKP Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also warned citizens that "in all provinces of Turkey, no standing passengers will be allowed in public transportation."
Accordingly, the circular of the Interior Ministry has indicated that no standing passengers will be allowed in midibuses/ minibuses and in intracity public transportation vehicles where physical distance rules cannot be observed, such as the busses where the seats cannot be removed or reduced.
The provincial/ district public health boards will decide how many passengers can travel while standing in rail system vehicles (such as subway, tram, etc.), metrobuses and busses with removed/ reduced seats in such a way to ensure that the necessary physical distance rules can be observed.
These vehicles are now obligated to hang a signboard/ table which indicates how many standing passengers will be allowed in and where these passengers are expected to stand inside the vehicle.
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While the circular stipulates that the administrative fines to be imposed on the persons and private entities who do not observe these rules shall be collected meticulously, the Governor's Offices are also mandated to take the necessary decisions as per the Articles 27 and 72 of the Law on Public Health and to implement these measures.
In the event of a failure to observe the measures, the related persons and entities will face an administrative action as per the related articles of the Law on Public Health. Moreover, based on the scope of the violation, a legal action will be taken as per the related articles of the law. If a certain act is considered to constitute a crime, the person will face a legal action as per the Article 195 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). (EMK/SD)