People in Turkey who are above the age of 65 or are suffering from a chronic illness will be restricted from leaving their homes amid measures to combat the novel coronavirus, the Turkish Interior Ministry announced on Saturday.
“As of midnight, people aged 65 and over and also those who suffer from chronic illnesses will be restricted from leaving their homes and walking in open spaces such as parks and gardens,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry’s move in response to growing criticism on social media about elderly people who are seen in public places, sometimes in groups, despite the warnings suggesting that the elderly are the most at-risk group for contracting the virus, hence they should stay home.
First seen in the Chinese city of Wuhan, COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus, has spread rapidly around the world, infecting nearly 300,000 people worldwide and killing more than 13,000.
Turkey currently has 947 confirmed cases, and the death toll stands at 21.