In photos: İstanbul implements new Covid measures in İstiklal Avenue

Photos: bianet, AA

Click to read the article in Turkish

The new coronavirus measures announced by the Ministry of Interior began to be implemented in İstanbul's Istiklal Avenue as of 10 a.m. today (December 3).

Accordingly, the number of people on the street is limited to 7,000 and people will walk on the right side of the street to reduce the risk of infection.

Municipal police officers instruct people to walk on the right side as they enter the street.

The police have placed barricades and signs at the entrances of the avenue and are using drones to monitor the situation.

Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Chair Prof. Şebnem Korur-Fincancı said yesterday that it was not possible to maintain physical distancing as the avenue has several "density areas."

However, she said, the avenue was less dangerous compared to shopping malls, which are still open.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced new restrictions on Monday (November 30), including countrywide weeknight and weekend curfews, as the pandemic worsens in Turkey.

The country reported about 30,000 daily cases over the past week and the daily death toll neared 200. Local administrations and medical organizations say the real numbers are even higher. (EMK/VK)