Surgical masks and three-meters distance now mandatory on Istanbul's Istiklal Avenue
Surgical masks will now be mandatory on Istanbul's central Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue that leads to it, and a three-meters distance will be required between pedestrians. The district governor's office also said that the violation of both measures will be penalized by monetary fines.
Duvar English
Surgical masks will now be mandatory on Istanbul's central Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue that leads to it, and a three-meters distance will be required between pedestrians.
The Beyoğlu District Governor's Office also said in a May 8 statement that failure to comply with the new regulations will be penalized with monetary fines.
The new requirements come days after a few days of increased crowds at the central destinations.
Turkey's Health Minister Fahrettin Koca had tweeted a photo from Istiklal Avenue May 6, noting that the street was much more crowded than it should be to slow the spread of COVID-19.
"Istiklal Avenue didn't photograph well today. It's way too soon for so many people to be in one frame," Koca had warned in a tweet.