* Photo: Özge Elif Kızıl - Ankara / AA
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The Ministry of Interior issued a circular letter pertaining to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) measures yesterday (August 25).
Accordingly, it has been announced that mass gatherings and events such as circumcision feasts, henna nights and engagement ceremonies will not be allowed in 14 of 81 provinces in Turkey as of today.
These mass gatherings and event have been banned in following provinces: Adana, Ağrı, Ankara, Bursa, Çorum, Diyarbakır, Erzurum, Antep, Kayseri, Konya, Mardin, Urfa, Van and Yozgat.
The circular of the Ministry has also stipulated that wedding ceremonies in these provinces will be held in an hour at most.
While the guests will not be allowed to perform folk dances during wedding ceremonies, the chairs and tables will be organized in such a way to cover the area where people normally use for dancing.
In these 14 provinces, the citizens who are aged 65 and over and not first-degree or second-degree relatives of the bride and groom and the ones aged under 15 will not be allowed to attend wedding ceremonies.
As reported by the Anadolu Agency (AA), at least one public official (law enforcement, municipal police, etc.) will be present in every wedding ceremony in these 14 cities to inspect the implementation of measures.
Failure to abide by the ban will result in fines
The circular of the Interior Ministry has also temporarily suspended the dining hall services and all types of food and beverage service, except for packaged water, in public institutions and organizations.
This ban will also enter into effect after the governor's offices take the necessary decision as per the Articles 27 and 72 of the Law on Public Health. Those who fail to observe the measures will be given an administrative fine as per the Article 282 of the same law.
Based on the scale of the failure or violation, the relevant action will be taken according to the related articles of the law. In the event that the action in question constitutes a crime, it will be handled as per the Article 195 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), which will result in a legal action. (AS/SD)