New COVID-19 restrictions in İstanbul, Ankara

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA) - Archive

Click to read the article in Turkish (1) (2)

The Governor's Offices of İstanbul and Ankara have imposed new novel coronavirus (COVID-19) measures amid an increasing number of cases.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), residents who are 65 and older in the capital city of Ankara and İstanbul, the most populous city of Turkey, have been restricted from leaving their homes except for certain hours as part of measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus, local officials said in two separate statements yesterday (November 10).

The elderly are allowed outside between 10 a.m. (0700GMT) and 4 p.m. (1300GMT) by keeping social distance guidelines and wearing masks.

An exception has been made for public servants and those who are in certain professions, including doctors, healthcare workers, pharmacists, elected public officials, social workers and others. Business owners, traders, industrialists, farmers, those who are self-employed and the heads of professional associations have been also exempted from restrictions.

Restrictions in İstanbul will begin on Thursday (November 12).

Current situation in Turkey and the world

Turkey registered 2,529 new COVID-19 patients yesterday, bringing the total number of patients to 399,360. Recoveries climbed 2,215 in the past day to 342,501, while the death toll stands at more than 11,000.

Across the world, the pandemic has claimed nearly 1.3 million lives in 190 countries and regions since last December. The US, India, and Brazil are currently the worst-hit countries. More than 51.2 million cases have been reported worldwide, with recoveries nearing 33.3 million, according to figures compiled by US-based Johns Hopkins University. (EKN/SD)