Istanbul, Ankara restrict elderly from going outside except for certain hours amid spike in COVID-19 cases

Duvar English

Residentsof Istanbul and Ankara who are 65 years of age or above have beenrestricted from leaving their homes except for certain hours as partof measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus, local officialssaid on Nov. 10.

The elderly are allowed to go outside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. by keeping social distancing guidelines and wearing masks, the two provinces' governor's offices said.

Istanbul governor's office said that the new measure will come into effect in the province on Nov. 12.

An exception has been made for public servants and people of certain professions, such as medical doctors, healthcare workers, pharmacists, elected public officials and social workers.

The business owners, traders, industrialists, farmers, self-employed people, and heads of professional associations have been also exempted from restrictions.

Turkey on Nov. 10 registered 2,529 new coronavirus “patients,” pushing the total up to 399,360, according to official data.

The country's recoveries climbed by 2,215 over the past day to reach 342,501, while the death toll in Turkey is now over 11,000.

COVID-19 patients 'can't be treated in Istanbul hospitals due to overcrowd'