Turkey declares partial lockdown during Ramadan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that a two-week partial lockdown will be imposed to help curb a recent rise in coronavirus cases.

Speaking to reporters following a cabinet meeting, Erdogan said the new measures against the virus would go into effect on Wednesday evening and continue for the first two weeks of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Under the new restrictions, the weekday curfew will start at 7.00 p.m. instead of 9.00 p.m. and last until 5 a.m., during which inter-city travel will also be banned except for necessary and urgent situations.

Cafes, restaurants and teahouses will also only provide home delivery and takeaway services, while wedding halls, sports centers and game halls will be closed until the conclusion of the Eid holiday marking the end of Ramadan in the country.

Erdogan said restrictions on public transportation for people over 65 and under 18 would be in effect again, Anadolu agency reported.

With its stricter measures during Ramadan's first two weeks, Turkey aims to significantly reduce the number of cases and deaths related to COVID-19, Erdogan said, adding more rigid measures could be imposed if progress was not made in the first two weeks of the holy month.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s Ministry of National Education announced that all education institutions except for 8th and 12th grades along with pre-schools would start remote education as of April 15.