Turkey to Enforce Nationwide Full Lockdown Until Next Month 17th... Daily Cases Near 40,000

Prohibition of Movement Except for Purchasing Daily Necessities and Hospital Visits
Erdo?an: "Must Reduce Below 5,000"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Turkish government announced that it will implement a complete lockdown nationwide for three weeks from the 29th of this month to the 17th of next month. This is interpreted as a desperate measure to curb the worsening spread of COVID-19, with daily confirmed cases approaching 40,000. During the lockdown period, all movement will be prohibited except for purchasing essential goods and hospital visits, and all school classes will be conducted online. However, it is expected that the voices of dissatisfaction from citizens, already weary from prolonged quarantine measures, will increase.

According to foreign media including TASS on the 26th (local time), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an stated in a press release following a cabinet meeting, "From the 29th of this month to the 17th of next month, a full lockdown will be imposed across Turkey," adding, "While Europe is entering a phase of lifting lockdowns, we need lockdown measures until the daily confirmed cases fall below 5,000. Otherwise, tourism, trade, and education throughout Turkey will suffer significant damage."

According to the Turkish Ministry of Health, the daily confirmed cases in Turkey reached 37,312 on that day, nearing 40,000. The death toll was also recorded at 353. Although the situation has improved compared to mid-month when daily cases exceeded 60,000, the numbers remain substantial, prompting the Turkish government to take drastic measures. Two weeks ago, the Turkish government had implemented a curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. and weekend lockdowns, but as the spread did not subside, the medical community continued to criticize that quarantine measures needed to be stronger.

The Turkish government announced that during the lockdown period, movement will be completely prohibited except for purchasing essential goods and hospital visits, schools will be closed, and online classes will be conducted. Public transportation services will also be reduced to less than 50% of normal levels. Only workers in specific sectors such as paramedics and food and essential manufacturing workers will be exceptionally allowed to move.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.