Erdoğan announces two-week 'partial lockdown' amid sharp increase in Covid cases

Photo: AA

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President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced a two-week "partial lockdown" to help curb a recent rise in the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Speaking to reporters following a cabinet meeting that lasted three hours, Erdoğan said the new measures against the virus would go into effect on tomorrow (April 14) evening and continue for the first two weeks of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Among the new restrictions was an expanded weekday curfew start at 7.00 p.m. — previously 9.00 p.m. — and last until 5 a.m., during which inter-city travels will also be banned, excluding necessary and urgent situations.

Cafes, restaurants, and teahouses will also only provide home-delivery and takeaway services, while wedding halls, sports centers, and game halls will be closed until the end of the Eid holiday marking the end of Ramadan in the country.

Over the past week, the number of daily cases in the country was 50,000, making it one of the top-five countries in the world with the highest new cases.

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(EKN/VK)