Turkey reintroduces restrictions to curb virus spread

By Jeyhun Aliyev and Burak Dag

ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish leader on Tuesday announced measures to be reintroduced to stem the spread of coronavirus, with several public places to close earlier.

Hairdressers, wedding halls, swimming pools, astroturfs, theaters, cinemas, concert halls, and similar places will close at 10 p.m. (1900GMT), Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a news conference in the capital Ankara following the Cabinet meeting at the presidential complex.

The restrictions will also apply to cafes and restaurants, however, they will be allowed to offer food for takeaway after 10 p.m.

As part of the step, which came amid rising coronavirus tally in Turkey, flexible working hours will be encouraged in private and public sectors across Turkey, Erdogan said.

Turkey on Tuesday reported 2,343 new patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and 79 fatalities, as well as 1,817 recoveries, according to the Health Ministry data.

Wearing masks is compulsory in all public areas and outdoors in the country.

Across the world, COVID-19 has claimed more than 1.2 million lives in 190 countries and regions since last December.

The US, India and Brazil are currently the worst-hit countries.

Over 47 million cases have been reported worldwide, with recoveries exceeding 31.4 million, according to figures compiled by the US' Johns Hopkins University.