People Flock to Parks After Reopening, Minister Warns, 'Let's Don't Normalize too Much'

Caddebostan, İstanbul (Photo: bianet)

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As the coronavirus measures are being gradually lifted with new rules, people returned to parks and recreation areas on the weekend.

This was the first weekend after the ban on recreation areas was lifted as well as the first weekend without a curfew for 15 larger cities, including İstanbul, the most affected city from the pandemic.

Kordon, İzmir (Photos: AA)

Parks on the seaside in İstanbul and İzmir were crowded throughout the weekend, even some young people having "parties," which prompted Health Minister Fahrettin Koca to warn people "not to normalize too much."

İstiklal Avenue, İstanbul

Sharing a video showing young people dancing with music in Moda, Kadıköy, on the Asian coast of İstanbul, Koca said, "Receiving the news that the last case has been treated and the fight against the outbreak succeeded with the risk ending, our citizens have begun celebrations.' There is still time for this story. Let's don't normalize too much."

“Son vakanın tedavi edildiği, salgınla mücadelenin geride risk kalmayacak şekilde başarıya ulaştığı haberini alan vatandaşlarımız kutlamalara başladı.” Bu habere daha var. Çok fazla normalleşmeyelim. MASKE + MESAFE KURALINA MODA OLARAK UYALIM. pic.twitter.com/maOG7CRWmh

— Dr. Fahrettin Koca (@drfahrettinkoca) June 7, 2020

Eminönü, İstanbul

The government lifted the weekend curfews that have been in place since April 11, as well as reopening most places on June 1. (RT/VK)