Turkey reintroduces some Covid-19 measures amid increase in cases

Photo: AA

Click to read the article in Turkish

President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last night (November 3) announced measures to be reintroduced to stem the spread of coronavirus, with several public places to close earlier.

Hairdressers, wedding halls, swimming pools, astroturfs, theaters, cinemas, concert halls, and similar places will close at 10 p.m., Erdoğan told a news conference in the capital Ankara following a cabinet meeting at the presidential complex.

The restrictions will also apply to cafes and restaurants, however, they will be allowed to offer food for takeaway after 10 p.m.

As part of the step, which came amid rising coronavirus tally in Turkey, flexible working hours will be encouraged in private and public sectors across the country, Erdoğan said.

He also said that Turkey will offer "own vaccines" to the public in spring.

İzmir earthquake

Turkey plans to start the construction of new houses within a month in the wake of last week's powerful earthquake in the Aegean region, the president pledged.

"Some 29 million Turkish liras (around $3.45 million) fund has been sent to our institutions to be used in their work [following the quake]," Erdoğan added.

The assistance will also include 30,000 Turkish liras (around $3,560) in support of people whose houses were either demolished or are in a state of collapse, he said.

"Likewise, we provide 13,000 Turkish liras [$1,540] to householders and 5,000 Turkish liras [$590] to tenants for moving," he said.

Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said in a statement that the İzmir quake death toll rose to 114, and treatment of 138 people continues.

"We will not lose our hope until the last person under debris is reached," Erdoğan said.

He also underlined that Turkey aims to renew 1.5 million houses in the next five years as part of the country's urban transformation project. (EKN/VK)