+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Close
HomeQuizzoneWhatsappShare Flash Reads
 

Turkey's president declares nationwide Eid al-Fitr lockdown

May 18, 2020, 23:49 IST
PTI
Istanbul, May 18 (AP) Turkey's president has announced a new four-day curfew during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr to be applied across the country to stem the spread of COVID-19.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he hoped the restrictions would no longer be needed after the next round of lockdowns between May 23 and 26. Previous weekend and national curfews were applied to a maximum of 31 provinces but this round will restrict people to their homes in all 81 provinces.

Advertisement

The country has opted to impose short weekend and holiday curfews, instead of full lockdowns, fearing possible negative effects on the already troubled economy.

Turkey's health ministry announced 31 new deaths in the past 24 hours, the lowest since the end of March, bringing the death toll to 4,171. The data also showed 1,158 confirmed new infections, with the total now at 150,593.

People aged over 65 and under 20 have been under full lockdown. Erdogan announced that older people will be allowed out for several hours Sunday for the third week running, while everyone else is inside. Children and teenagers will be allowed out for a second time this week, at allotted days and times.

The school year has ended, Erdogan said, and will resume in September.A ban on travel to and from 15 major cities, including Istanbul, was extended for an additional 15 days.

Advertisement

Erdogan also announced mosques would re-open for two daytime prayers starting May 29, to be performed within social distancing rules.

The president also said the temporary release of 60,000 prisoners from minimum-security prisons in April to ease overcrowding would be extended for two more months. (AP) RS RS

(This story has not been edited by www.businessinsider.in and is auto–generated from a syndicated feed we subscribe to.)
You are subscribed to notifications!
Looks like you've blocked notifications!
Next Article