People wearing protective face masks against the spread of coronavirus, walk at the Eminonu market in Istanbul as it reopens, Monday, June 1, 2020, following weeks of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 10:18 AM PT — Monday, June 1, 2020
Turkey is easing its lockdown restriction’s in an effort to restart their economy as coronavirus cases decrease. Businesses, museums and parks are reopening this week with restaurants and cafe’s allowing dine-in customers.
Daycare facilities and some lower division schools are able to reopen their doors as parents begin returning to work. Travel has also been permitted with limited domestic flights resuming.
While coronavirus cases have seen a decrease, government officials are urging people to practice social distancing.
“As of June 1, restrictions will be totally lifted for intercity travel…We see a benefit in continuing certain lockdown restrictions. Those aged 65 and over will continue to be restricted from going out with the exception of Sundays between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.,” announced Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. “I repeat, these three concepts for the ‘new normal’ order: masks, distance, hygiene — let’s not neglect these three things.”
Signs, for customers to observe social distancing measures, are seen on the road as a restaurant worker wearing a protective face mask and shield against the spread of coronavirus, waits for customers at a restaurant on Istiklal street, the main shopping street in Istanbul, as shops reopen, Monday June 1, 2020. AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
Turkey has about 163,000 active coronavirus cases, which is the highest total outside Western Europe.
