COVID-19: Turkey restricts inter-city travel

By Firdevs Bulut

ANKARA (AA) - As part of measures against the coronavirus in Turkey, those making inter-city travels will be tested for high fever and coughing, with systems set up at entrances and exits of cities, the Turkish interior minister said on Saturday.

“If a trace of illness is found during these checks, all passengers present in the vehicle will be quarantined,” Suleyman Soylu said.

Soylu noted that the use of public transport in the country down by 90%, thanking the Turkish public for their diligence in this regard.

On Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said inter-city travels are now subject to local authorities' permission and only a well-spaced seating arrangement would be allowed on buses.

Turkey on Friday also suspended all international flights as part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Erdogan announced flexible working hours for the private sector as well, after announcing the same for public workers, to bring the risk for the public to a minimum.

The death toll in Turkey from the coronavirus stands at 92, with more than 5,600 confirmed cases. At least 42 patients have successfully recovered.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China in December, the virus, officially known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 177 countries and regions, according to data compiled by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

More than 620,000 cases have been reported worldwide, with the death toll exceeding 28,600 and more than 135,000 recoveries.

*Writing by Firdevs Bulut