Turkey makes face masks mandatory as COVID-19 cases spike
Turks must wear protective masks in all public areas throughout the country to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the government said on Tuesday in a circular to Turkey’s 81 provincial authorities, Ahval News reports.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday. The restrictions will be enforced in streets, parks, gardens, picnic areas, beaches, public transportation, workplaces, factories and all other areas where people congregate.
Law enforcement agencies and the local authorities will be given all necessary powers to ensure the rule is followed, the government said.
The source reminds that the new regulations arrive as the country announced on Monday 1,703 new cases of COVID-19, the highest figure since May 15. The number of infections in the country has more than doubled since June, when the government lifted many pandemic measures.
The Health Ministry also reported 57 new deaths on Monday, up from around 20-25 daily fatalities in late May.