‘What does the ban on alcohol sales have to do with coronavirus outbreak?’

* Photo: bianet

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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) İstanbul MP Ali Kenanoğlu has brought the de facto ban on alcohol sales during the upcoming full lockdown to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).

In a Parliamentary question addressed to Vice President Fuat Oktay, Kenanoğlu has asked a series of questions regarding the Interior Minister's announcement that liquor shops will be closed across the country during the 17-day "full lockdown" from April 29 to May 17, 2021.

As indicated in the Parliamentary question of the MP, the Ministry's circular on lockdown does not mention such a ban.

Against this backdrop, Kenanoğlu has asked the following questions:

'What is its legal basis?'

• Why is it decided to ban the sale of alcoholic beverages though it was not mentioned in the President's statement or the Ministry's circular?
• Who has given the decision to ban the sale of alcoholic beverages?
• What does the ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages have to do with the coronavirus outbreak?
• Is there a legal basis of the ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages due to the coronavirus outbreak?
• How is the justification that alcohol urges socialization possible in the days when full lockdown is in effect?
• Isn't the ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages a direct interference with our citizens' lifestyles and fundamental rights and freedoms?
• Is there a medical finding suggesting that a ban on alcohol should be imposed to be protected from an infectious disease? What is the link between the virus and the sale of alcoholic beverages?
• Considering that the liquor shops will be unable to sell products during the 17-day full lockdown, will the related shopkeepers be provided with any incentives or financial support?

(DŞ/SD)