Turkey closes bars, nightclubs amid growing concerns of coronavirus spread

Anadolu Agency

Turkey will temporarily close bars and nightclubs as of Monday as part of measures to curb the coronavirus outbreak.

The Interior Ministry on Sunday ordered the closure across all 81 provinces starting 10 a.m. local time (0700GMT).

Public libraries closed until March 30

Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced Sunday that all public libraries under the ministry will be closed from March 16 to 30 as part of measures to stem the coronavirus outbreak.

Turkey has taken several measures to curb the pandemic such as temporarily closing schools and universities, halting events and public activities, postponing foreign visits, and barring spectators at sports events.

Turkey has so far confirmed 18 cases of coronavirus.

Foreign Ministry establishes 24-hour helpline

Turkey has established a 24-hour coordination and support center under the Foreign Ministry to tackle concerns about coronavirus.

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said some 8,300 Turkish expats have called on the existing helpline with concerns about the pandemic that has sounded a global alarm.

Turkey has taken several measures to stem the viral outbreak such as temporarily closing schools and universities, halting events and public activities, postponing foreign visits, and barring spectators at sports events.

After emerging in Wuhan, China last December, the virus officially known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 141 countries and territories.

The global death toll from the virus has surpassed 5,700 with more than 152,000 cases confirmed worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, which has declared the outbreak a pandemic and Europe its epicenter.