Post-lockdown jump in coronavirus cases rattles Turkish officials

Turkey may have to adopt a harder line on social interactions following a worrying jump in coronavirus infections but it has no plans to reverse an easing of lockdown restrictions aimed at reviving the economy, officials say.

This month restaurants and cafes reopened, intercity flights and car travel resumed and weekend stay-home orders were lifted. However, new Covid-19 cases have roughly doubled to 1,600 per day since June 1, official data shows.

As Turks have poured into the streets, malls and parks or taken vacations - often without face masks - authorities have urged caution and said new cases are emerging in more rural central and southeastern provinces.

One senior government official called the new infections a "a serious problem" and said steps may be taken after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan chairs a cabinet meeting this week.

Officials told...