City
Epaper

Turkey's biggest city Istanbul under lockdown

By IANS | Updated: May 4, 2020 10:26 IST

Turkish authorities imposed a lockdown in the country's biggest city of Istanbul with a population of 16 million, in line with the government's measures to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier said the government would continue to impose curfews on 31 provinces on weekends until the end of May.

Open in App

Turkish authorities imposed a lockdown in the country's biggest city of Istanbul with a population of 16 million, in line with the government's measures to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Sunday, several on-duty officials, press members, and police forces were seen patrolling the city's usually most crowded spots, while avenues, streets, and district centres were all deserted, reports Xinhua news agency.

Taking advantage of the curfew, city workers carried out several asphalt paving works on some streets and highways, the Istanbul municipality said.

Numerous teams were in the field during the lockdown by following the social distancing rule and wearing facial masks, the statement added.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier said the government would continue to impose curfews on 31 provinces on weekends until the end of May.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry announced on Sunday that it extended the travel restrictions for 31 provinces until Monday midnight.

 

The government will decide whether to continue the limitation at a cabinet meeting, which will be chaired by the President on Tuesday, it added.

According to Turkish presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin, the government would also consider easing the curfew for elderly people at the age of 65 and over.

Turkey, which took over Iran as the worst hit country in the Middle East in terms of cases, has reported 126,045 COVID-19 infections, while the death toll stood at 3,397.

 

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: Recep Tayyip ErdoğanXinhuaTurkeyIstanbulInterior MinistryIbrahim Kalin
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalMumbai-Bound Virgin Atlantic Flight Stuck at Turkish Military Airport With Over 250 Flyers

NationalMumbai-London Atlantic Flight Makes Emergency Landing, More Than 200 Indian Flyers Stuck in Turkey With No Aid

InternationalTurkey Hotel Fire: 10 Dead, 32 Injured in Devastating Blaze At Ski Resort

InternationalTurkey Terrorist Attack: 5 Killed, 22 Injured in Blast, Firing on TUSAS Aerospace Company Headquarters

InternationalMajor UK Railway Stations Hit by Cyber Attack; Network Rail Suspends Wi-Fi Service

International Realted Stories

InternationalAt least 14 people killed, 750 others injured in explosion at key Iranian port

InternationalIndian Embassy in Nepal holds condolence meeting for J-K attack victims

InternationalPakistan: Mahrang Baloch's sister demands Chief Justice's intervention against 'mistreatment' of BYC leaders in prison

International"Deeply saddened by the recent horrific attack in Pahalgam": Thai PM on J-K terror attack

InternationalPakistan: Court sentences main accused in Imran Khan attack case to life in prison