Turkey Further Eases Coronavirus Restrictions Amid Normalization

* Photo & News: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference following a roughly three-hour cabinet meeting in the capital city of Ankara yesterday (June 9).

Erdoğan has announced further easing on the restrictions that Turkey previously introduced to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. "We must get used to the fact that a new period which we call the new normal will continue for a while," he has noted.

Accordingly, Erdoğan has announced that cinemas, theaters and performance centers will be reopened as of July 1 across the country.

He has added that the closing hours of venues like restaurants and cafes have been extended from 10 p.m. to midnight  while wedding halls will resume their services starting June 15.

Also, people aged 65 and over will now be allowed to go out between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. every day, with restrictions for young people under 18 completely lifted on condition that they are accompanied by their parents.

All national parks and natural parks will be free of charge for the ones aged 65 and over and 18 and younger, Erdoğan has added.

'Turkish scientists produce drug for treatment'

Erdoğan has also announced that the scientists in Turkey "successfully produced the drug Favipiravir, which is used in treating COVID-19."

"After the registration process of our Health Ministry is completed, the drug will be available," he has said.

The drug has been produced by scientists with the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Erdoğan has added.

On June 1, Turkey announced the beginning of its first phase of easing restrictions as the country made advances in its fight against the pandemic.

Yesterday, Turkey confirmed a total of 172,114 cases, while recoveries neared 144,600. The virus has killed 4,729 people so far, according to the figures shared by the Ministry of Health on a daily basis.

'We will continue to support Libyan people'

In his address to the public, Erdoğan has also spoken about Libya. Reiterating Turkey's support for Libya's UN-recognized government in its fight against Khalifa Haftar forces, he has said, "We will stand next to our Libyan brothers, not the putschists, not the imperialists."

Erdoğan has also underlined that Ankara will "continue to frustrate both domestic and foreign coup enthusiasts and lovers of terrorist organizations."

"We'll continue to support our Libyan brothers until peace, tranquility and justice are established throughout Libya," he has said.

"Turkey will offer knowledge and experience in all areas from health to transportation, from energy to the defense to the benefit of the Libyan people," Erdoğan has indicated further.

CLICK - 'All Power of Libya's Haftar Comes from Russia,' Says President Erdoğan

Since the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: One in eastern Libya, the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar, and the other in Tripoli, which enjoys UN and international recognition, the Government of National Accord (GNA).

The government and western parts of the country have been under attack by Haftar's forces since April 2019, with over 1,000 killed. (EKN/SD)