Turkey ordered citizens to stay at home for 48 hours across 31 cities starting midnight Friday as it rolled out new strict measures to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. The interior ministry said in a statement the order would last until midnight Sunday in dozens of cities, including the economic hub of Istanbul and the capital Ankara.
Turkey is imposing a two-day lockdown in 31 provinces — including Istanbul, Ankara and other major cities — in response to the spread of COVID-19, the Interior Ministry said on Friday.
It said the curbs would begin at midnight and end at the same time on Sunday. Turkey earlier announced its death toll from the novel coronavirus had risen to 1,006.
The ban came amid concerns that with fine weather predicted over the weekend, many would ignore government advice to stay at home.
Turkey has so far avoided a total lockdown but has ordered anyone above the age of 65 or below the age of 20 to remain home. Although schools and businesses such as cafes and hair dressers were shut down, many businesses and offices remain open and workers continue to go to work.
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