Erdoğan announces new coronavirus restrictions

* Photo: Halil Sağırkaya / AA

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President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the public after the cabinet meeting today (November 17). Amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities in the country, he has announced a series of new measures.

Accordingly, President Erdoğan has announced that a partial curfew will be in effect in the country at the weekends, except for 10 a.m to 8 p.m. "so as not to disrupt supply and production chains in the country."

He has said that "the partial lockdown in effect for people aged over 65 will also be applied for those under 20, with exception of the employed." They can step outside their homes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the week, as reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA).

"Cinema halls will remain closed in line with the demands of the sector," Erdoğan has stated further, adding that places such as malls, restaurants, markets, barber shops and hairdressers will remain open from 10 in the morning to 8 in the evening. Cafes and restaurants will only offer take-away food while coffee houses will remain closed for a while. 

While all sports competitions will continue to be held without fans, football pitches will also remain closed for a period of time.

As for the education, President Erdoğan has announced that schools will remain closed until the end of the year. Education will continue online.

The smoking restrictions previously imposed by the Ministry of Interior with a cricular sent to the governor's offices will also remain in effect. These restrictions can be extended by the Provincial Public Health Boards. 

If the upward trend in the pandemic continues, measures will inevitably return to the agenda "that have had painful consequences for all of us," he has stressed, adding that "in public and private sector workplaces, sensitivity will be shown in the order for flexible working hours and the implementation of working hours in a way that does not create tensions."

The details of the restrictions shared with the public after the cabinet meeting will be announced to the public in more detail by the Interior Ministry.

CLICK - 'Science board recommends concrete measures'

Addressing the reporters following the Coronavirus Science Board meeting in the capital city of Ankara yesterday, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said that Turkey's coronavirus task force recommended stricter measures amid a significant rise in the number of virus cases.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), Minister Koca stated, "It was recommended to implement concrete measures to prevent the spread of the disease." However, he did not specify what kind of recommendations had been made by the board "In recent months, we have witnessed a significant increase in the number of cases and deaths, a trend reflected globally," he added, noting that the number of cases was especially rising in İstanbul, the most populous city of Turkey. (EKN/SD)