Turkey to impose 4-day curfew over New Year’s

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the reporters following the Cabinet meeting in the capital city of Ankara yesterday (December 14).

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), President Erdoğan has announced that as a measure to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Turkey will have a countrywide curfew spanning the New Year's holiday, from December 31, 2020 to early January 4, 2021.

In addition to ongoing public health measures, the holiday lockdown will last from 9 p.m. on December 31 to 5 a.m. on January 4, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has told reporters after a Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara.

"We have started to see the positive effects of restrictions and other measures," hse has said, adding that this is thanks to the "public sacrifice."

On the economic effects of the pandemic, Erdoğan has argued that "Turkey's economy stands ready to face down tough tests, to navigate various scenarios, and to benefit from emerging opportunities."

Turkey will continue its reform program to improve the investment climate and address investors' doubts, he has added.

Support for shop owners

Erdoğan has also announced that the shop owners negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can benefit from following financial support:

• The withholding rate which was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent by the end of 2020 will be 10 percent until June 1, 2021.
• The Value Added Tax which was reduced from 18 percent to 8 percent in business renting services will remain as 8 percent until June 1.
• The Value Added Tax reductions introduced in several sectors remain in effect until June 1, 2021.
• 806 thousand 871 small business owners and 432 thousand 657 shop owners directly affected by the pandemic will receive 1,000 Turkish Lira (TRY) for three months. The money will be provided as a grant and businesses such as taxi, midibus and service vehicle managers, bazaar sellers, tailors, auto mechanics, hostels, dorms and kindergartens will benefit from it.
• In metropolitan cities, shop owners will be given 750 Turkish Lira to support them with their rent for three months while the shop owners in other cities will get 500 Turkish Lira.

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Invalidity on duty, occupational disease

Erdoğan has also said that the status of invalidity on duty or occupational illness will be provided to healthcare workers based on their status and it will be ensured that the process will be finalized as soon as possible.

"The families of our service-diabled health workers will obtain several opportunities from wage to additional payment, interest-free housing loans to aid for their children's education, the right to employment to reduction in bills," he has said, adding that he has instructed the Ministers of Health and Family, Labor and Social Services to conclude the process quickly.

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(EKN/SD)