LOCAL NEWS
Lockdown ends, gradual normalization starts in Turkey
12:40 May 17, 2021 AA
A 15-day period of gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in Turkey has started as of early Monday, as infections began falling thanks to a strict lockdown. The 17-day full lockdown, which covered the remainder of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, as well as three days of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, ended as of 5 a.m. local time (0200GMT). As part of the measures, cafes, and restaurants only offered delivery services, while chain supermarkets remained closed on Sundays. All intercity travels were subjected to permission, whereas public transport operated at 50% capacity.