Turkey tightens coronavirus measures as cases on the increase countrywide

58 out of 81 provinces are classified as "very high risk zones." (Map: Health Ministry)

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Facing a growing number of Covid-19 cases and fatalities, Turkey will continue to impose partial restrictions to stem the virus' spread, President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced today (March 29).

The countrywide curfew from 9.00 pm to 5.00 am will continue, Erdogan said after a three-hour-plus cabinet meeting at the presidential complex.

As a public health measure, he added, all restaurants and cafes in the country will operate at maximum 50 percent capacity.

Provinces facing very high risk for coronavirus will have full weekend lockdowns, he said.

Fifty-eight out of 81 provinces, which have 80 percent of the country's population, are classified as very high risk for the virus, shows the risk map released by the Health Ministry.

When the first risk map was announced on February 26, only 18 provinces were indicated as very high risk zones.

The categorization of provinces as facing low, medium, high, or very high risk is based on infection rates and Turkey's vaccination campaign, which began on January 14.

During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, gatherings for sahur and iftar meals, held before and after daytime fasting hours, respectively, are prohibited nationwide, the president further said. (EKN/VK)