Turkey declares full lockdown until May 17

Photo: AA

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Turkey will enforce a full lockdown from April 29 until May 17 to stem the spread of coronavirus, President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced.

Speaking to reporters following a three-hour cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, Erdoğan said all workplaces will suspend their activities during the restrictions, except those excluded by the Interior Ministry.

The food sector will be restricted to delivery service, according to the new measures.

Turkey has seen the highest surge in new coronavirus cases over the past month with daily cases exceeding 60,000 until April 23. The number of cases has dropped slightly since then. The government imposed a "partial lockdown" on April 13.

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"We must rapidly reduce our number of cases to less than 5,000 ... otherwise we will face the consequences in every field from tourism to trade and education," Erdoğan said.

All intercity travel will be subject to permission, whereas public transport will operate at 50 percent capacity, he added.

Erdoğan said face-to-face education at all institutions including kindergartens and nurseries would remain suspended, and all exams would be postponed. (EKN/VK)