Strict four-day curfew begins in 15 Turkish provinces and cities
A comprehensive curfew came into force in 15 Turkish provinces on midnight Friday, in an attempt to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The measures will last four days until midnight Tuesday, a public holiday in the country.
During this time, pharmacies, doctors’ clinics, bakeries and other so-called “essential services” are allowed to remain open.
On Monday and Tuesday people will be allowed to do limited shopping.
The curfew applies to fewer cities and provinces compared to the previous curfews on weekends and long weekends, which first saw 31 and then 24 cities and provinces almost shut down.
Capital city Ankara and the heavily-populated Istanbul are still included.
Turkey has so far avoided implementing longer or nation-wide curfews, in order not to cause further damage to the lagging economy.
For people over 65 years old or the chronically ill, a complete ban on going out applies.
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However they too are now allowed to leave the house again for a few hours on fixed days.
Hairdressers and shopping centres have been open for the past week, another aspect of coronavirus-related restrictions gradually lifting.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca reported on Friday evening that around 146,000 people have been infected with the coronavirus so far. About 4,050 people have died. (dpa)
