Turkey plans to extend the weekend curfew in 31 provinces this week as part of measures against the coronavirus, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday. Starting on Thursday, April 23, which is a public holiday commemorating the foundation of Turkish parliament, Turkey will impose curfew in 31 provinces to contain the spread of the virus.
The curfew will end midnight on April 26. On April 23, Turkey observes the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day every year. This year marks the centennial of the Grand National Assembly.
Erdogan said that bakery shops, water sellers and news vendors will continue operating during the curfew. His remarks came after a Cabinet meeting held via video link for the fourth time.
"We will continue to impose weekend curfews for some more time without hindering agriculture, health, and food services, as well as basic production activities," he said.
Erdogan said that the aim is to impose measures in the most meticulous manner and to decrease the level of epidemic in Turkey to a level that will allow returning to normal life after Eid, which will follow the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. On Monday, the coronavirus death toll in Turkey reached 2,140, with 90,980 cases.
Medical gear production
"Our efforts to produce intense care unit ventilators have born successful result," Erdogan stressed, and said a total of 5,000 devices are scheduled to be produced by the end of May.
"As of today, we have received 100 ventilators [from producers]," he said.
Also highlighting the remarkable progress in the domestic production of protective health equipment, Erdogan said: "The development process of nanofiber-based filters especially for the N95 and N99 masks, which are vital for health personnel, have been completed, tests have started. We are moving on to production as soon as possible."
Erdogan said Turkey will also increase its capacity in university hospitals and the number of both medical staff and health care workers.
Speaking about importance of investment in young people, he said: "We are also investing in software sector. We will initiate a program aiming to educate 1 million software experts in three years. This project will be prepared by our Treasury, and trainings will be carried out online."
Following the news conference, Erdogan also called for solidarity in the fight against coronavirus in a tweet, which read: “Remember, we can only overcome this epidemic if we act 83 million together.
"We can confidently look at our future as long as we embrace our unity, solidarity, and brotherhood."