Turkey weighing gradual reopening after lockdown

Turkish officials are weighing road maps in a bid to gradually reopen Turkey if the number of virus cases drops to targeted levels after the 17-day full nationwide lockdown that will end on May 17.

Authorities are keeping a close eye on the impact of the lockdown that began on April 29 to decide what steps should be taken next.

According to the gradual reopening plans under consideration, schools will open first, while small businesses, such as barbershops, salons and lawyers' offices, will resume operations in the second stage of the reopening process.

In the third stage, restaurants and cafes will open but under strict rules, including limited capacity and serving customers outdoor.

If the vaccination drive gains momentum and at the same time the daily cases decline to desired levels, Turkey can move toward gradual reopening, officials said, adding that weeknight curfews and weekend lockdowns might still remain in place

According to officials, the target is to bring the number of cases from the current 400 cases per 100,000 people to 100 after the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which will take place between May 13 and May 15.

"We need to bring the number of daily cases below 10,000," they added.

Professor Mehmet Ceyhan, an expert in infectious diseases at Hacettepe University in Ankara, warned about risks from people returning from resort towns or hometowns to big cities after the lockdown.

"If all restrictions are lifted immediately, and people return to cities in an uncontrolled manner, the virus cases may surge in mid-June," Ceyhan said.

He also proposed a gradual reopening which will span through a period of six to eight weeks.

COVID-19 is now widespread among young people and children, Ceyhan...