Turkey ends nearly 4-day nationwide coronavirus curfew

ANKARA-Anadolu Agency

Turkey ended a nearly four-day nationwide curfew early on April 26 aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.

The curfew, which began at 7 p.m. local time (1600GMT) Thursday and lasted until 5 a.m. (0200GMT) Monday, covered the National Sovereignty and Children's Day holiday as well as the weekend.

On April 13, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced new measures against the virus following a cabinet meeting.

In the face of rising cases and fatalities, special measures have been in effect in the country during the first two weeks of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The measures include extended hours of a curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. during which inter-city travel is also banned except in emergencies. Weekend curfews also continue in high-risk cities.

Cafes and restaurants only provide delivery and takeout services while wedding halls, sports centers and game halls will remain closed until the end of Ramadan.