COVID-19: Interior Ministry issues circular on ‘partial lockdown’
* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)
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The Ministry of Interior of Turkey issued a public notice early Wednesday (April 14) regarding the COVID-19 measures to be taken as part of the "partial lockdown" during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Addressing the reporters following the cabinet meeting yesterday, President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced "partial lockdown" measures amid a recent increase in the numbers of cases and deaths in the country.
According to the circular, which was sent to all 81 of the country's provinces, the rules to be followed and coronavirus measures to be taken on a provincial basis will be determined by the governor's offices.
Weekend curfew to be in effect till May 17
As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), under the new restrictions, the weekday curfew will start at 7 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. and last until 5 a.m., during which inter-city travel will also be banned except for necessary and urgent situations. A country weekend curfew that was re-enforced on April 2 will continue until May 17, 2021, according to the circular.
Cafes and restaurants will also only provide home delivery and takeaway services while wedding halls, sports centers and game halls will be closed until the end of the Eid holiday marking the end of Ramadan.
Facilities such as astro pitches, swimming pools and fitness centers will be closed. Large-scale activities of NGOs or public institutions and organizations will not be allowed as part of the new partial curfew plan.
Wedding ceremonies will also be banned and no visitors will be accepted at social protection/care centers such as nursing homes and rehabilitation centers until the end of the Ramadan holiday.
Meanwhile, the seating capacity for public transportation will be limited to 50 percent, as part of the new measures.
Those aged 65 and over and under 18 can go out during limited hours on weekends. People aged 65 and over will be able to go out between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and those under 18 between 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Alternate working hours, flexible work
On the other side, a Presidential circular was also published in the Official Gazette today (April 14) to rearrange working hours in the public institutions as part of the novel coronavirus measures.
According to the circular, flexible working conditions such as working from home or alternate working hours can be applied to the employees of public institutions, regardless of their types of employment.
The rules and procedures as to the flexible working conditions will be determined by top director for the Presidency and the institutions and organizations affiliated with it, by the Minister for the ministries and the institutions and organizations affiliated with them, by the governor or mayor for the local administrations and the organizations and institutions affiliated with them and by the top director for other public institutions and organizations. This authority can be transferred.
As per the Presidential circular, the working hours at public institutions and organizations will be from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon.
Latest situation in Turkey and the world
As of Tuesday, Turkey had registered a total of 34,455 deaths from COVID-19, while over 3.42 million people have recovered from the disease. There have been over 3.96 million confirmed cases in the country.
Since December 2019, the coronavirus pandemic has claimed more than 2.95 million lives in 192 countries and regions.
Over 137 million cases have been reported worldwide, with recoveries now over 78 million, according to figures compiled by US-based Johns Hopkins University. The US, India and Brazil remain the worst-hit countries in terms of cases. (TP/SD)