Turkey ready to lift all COVID-19 measures, Erdogan says

Reuters
Updated ·1 min read
FILE PHOTO - People shop at a local market in Istanbul
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkey is ready to lift all measures against the coronavirus, adding that mask wearing will no longer be obligatory indoors.

Speaking after the final meeting of the advisory science council, Erdogan said masks will still be mandated on public transport and in medical institutions until daily new cases drop below 1,000.

Turkey had previously lifted the requirement to wear masks outdoors and in indoor areas with good ventilation.

Daily COVID-19 cases in Turkey have dropped to below 3,000 in recent days, from around 15,000 at the end of March. Tests have more than halved in the same period to around 130,000 daily.

(Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Catherine Evans)