Turkey charts less restrictive virus path to protect economy

Police across Turkey are conducting routine ID checks on streets, stopping anyone who looks under 20 or over 65 as y enforce a coronavirus curfew for young and elderly. Yet factory workers are still going to ir jobs, people freely ride buses and many offices remain open.

Turkey has charted its own course to navigate pandemic with more relaxed restrictions than its neighbours in Europe and Middle East, relying on a strategy of limiting access and mobility nationwide that stops short of a mandatory lockdown.

Citing ecomic concerns, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has so far resisted calls for more drastic measures. But with number of infections rising sharply — and likely still weeks away from ir peak in country — many believe he will t be able to hold off declaring a total lockdown much longer.

On Friday authorities imposed a surprise two-day curfew in 31 cities to reduce mobility over weekend. anuncement prompted people to rush into streets and form long lines outside grocery stores, with many igring social distancing rules and t wearing mandatory masks.

Confirmed infections in Turkey have jumped to over 52,000 with more than 1,100 deaths since first case was anunced on March 11, prompting World Health Organization to warn last week that it was "alarmed that Turkey has seen a dramatic increase in virus spre over last week.”

Erdogan has repeatedly called on Turks to observe ir “own state of emergency” by staying at home voluntarily but has also said country would consider tighter measures if those in place fail to curb contagion.

“Our most important sensibility is continuation of supply of basic needs and ensuring uninterrupted continuation of production to support exports,” Erdogan said last week. “Turkey is a country which in all conditions and circumstances must maintain production and ensure that wheels (of production) carry on turning.”

Turkey was one of first to take measures against coronavirus by closing its border with hard-hit Iran and halting flights from China and Italy. It has since shut down all international arrivals, restricted domestic flights and set up ro checkpoints outside cities to prevent unessential travel.

Authorities have closed schools, cafes, nightclubs and barber shops, and cancelled sports events and prayers at mosques. government has banned anyone 65 or older — most vulnerable to disease — from leaving home and later extended ban to people under 20 after many youth, falsely believing y were safe from virus, continued to socialize.

At least 156 towns or vills have been placed under quarantine, with residents unable to leave ir homes. Face masks are w compulsory in public places such as supermarkets, and government is distributing m free of charge.

But absent a full lockdown, many stores and businesses remain open in Istanbul, home to 15 million, and people take public transportation and freely stroll shores of Bosporous.

Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said about 64% of residents are still out and about amid partial restrictions. With about 60% of country's coronavirus cases, Istanbul is epicentre of Turkey's outbreak, and Imamoglu has been pleing for a comprehensive stay-at-home order in city, if t whole country.

“We are insisting on a curfew to decrease this activity ... to completely shut down engine,” mayor told Associated Press.

“ only method to cut this off ( loss of lives) is for people to totally sever contact,” Imamoglu, a key opposition figure who could challenge Erdogan in general election in 2023.

new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older ults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.

Worldwide,

Coronavirus-related restrictions have varied by country. While most European nations have imposed strict constraints on movement, Turkey’s approach is comparable to that of Sweden, where authorities have vised public to practice social distancing but schools, bars and restaurants are open and only garings of more than 50 people are banned. outbreak in Scandinavian nation has claimed 887 lives.

Can Selcuki, he of Istanbul Ecomics Research think-tank, said government strategy of grually limiting mobility aims “to stop ecomy from coming to a full stop for as long as possible.”

“But if curve doesn’t flatten and numbers keep rising, n (a total lockdown) is definitely in books,” he said.

Erhan Baba, a 25-year-old accountant in Istanbul, said he has choice but to go to work despite risks of infection.

“I have to be outside. I have to use public transport. I have to go to banks,” he said, pinching his mask to stop it from slipping. “I am forced to go out to do my job to earn my daily bre.”

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said more than 6,000 elderly have been fined and 149 more prosecuted nationwide for violating curfew, along with some 3,000 fines and 102 prosecutions for young people.

In Istanbul’s Esenyurt district, police twice raided a coffeehouse that reopened clandestinely despite ban and detained 14 people, private DHA news ncy reported.