The authorities have announced its ban on smoking in public areas in Turkey starting Thursday in an attempt to curb the pandemic, as reported by Andolu Agency on Wednesday.
The Interior Ministry declared in a circular to the governors of the country's 81 provinces that a smoking ban would be introduced in public spaces including streets, squares and parks wherever necessary. The Ministry also issued a stay-home order for people over 65 years old between local time of 10AM and 4PM, as a measure against the pandemic.
According to official figures, Turkey has so far reported more than 402,000 COVID-19 cases and 11,613 deaths, while over 344,000 recoveries have been notified.
The government had announced a daily curfew of all business closing at 10PM, while the eastern Turkish province of Mus had banned smoking in all public places last week.
( Reported by Haifa Muneer )