Turkey’s Interior Ministry issues circular on ‘gradual normalization’

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Introduced amid a spike in the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and deaths in Turkey on April 29, the 'full lockdown' has ended as of 5 in the morning today (May 17). According to a circular issued by the Interior Ministry, the country will now gradually lift the restrictions.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), the circular of the Interior Ministry has said that the gradual normalization will start at 5 a.m. local time on Monday and conclude at the same time on June 1, 2021.

During that period, weekdays will see a nightly curfew of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., while weekends will be under full lockdown, the ministry has said.

During this period, intercity travel will be allowed outside of curfew days and hours. There will be no special restrictions on people 65 and over who have had two doses of COVID-19 vaccines or those under 18.

Restaurants, malls, wedding halls

Cafes and restaurants will provide takeout and delivery services only on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on weekends, delivery service only from 7 a.m. to 12 midnight. Shopping malls will be able to operate 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and will be closed on weekends.

Wedding halls, sports centers, and game halls will remain closed.

Current situation in Turkey

The announcement came as Turkey's 17-day lockdown is set to end Monday at 5 a.m. Turkey has so far registered 44,760 deaths from COVID-19, while over 4.9 million people have recovered from the disease. There have been over 5 million confirmed cases in the country.

Turkey has administered over 25.7 million coronavirus jabs since launching a mass vaccination campaign in mid-January, according to official figures. More than 14.9 million people have received their first doses, and over 10.8 million people have been fully vaccinated. (EMK/SD)