Taksim Square and İstiklal Street: Fines up to 3,150 TL for Noncompliance
According to the latest announcement, new measures have been introduced for people moving around Taksim Square and İstiklal Street in Istanbul. The rules require wearing a mask and maintaining a minimum social distance of three meters. Those who do not comply with these measures will face administrative fines ranging from 1,000 TL to 3,150 TL.
According to the official update, the Beyoğlu District Governorship has issued these decisions and new precautions specifically for Taksim Square and İstiklal Street. The measures mandate mask use and a three-meter distance between individuals. Citizens who fail to follow these rules will be subject to administrative penalties under Article 282 of the Public Health Law No. 1593, with fines set between 1,000 TL and 3,150 TL.
Up to 3,150 TL Fine for Violating the Measures
The Beyoğlu District Hygiene Committee has adopted new measures for Taksim Square and İstiklal Street, imposing mandatory mask use and a three-meter social distancing requirement. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca highlighted the situation with shared photographs, noting that despite warnings the crowding in these areas had been increasing. To prevent further crowding and reduce infection risk, the Beyoğlu Governorship convened the District Hygiene Committee, which met on May 6, 2020, and decided on the new measures.
In the written statement issued after the meeting, authorities emphasized that during the normalization period, movement in Beyoğlu’s central areas—particularly Taksim Square and İstiklal Street—is expected to increase, which will raise the risk of transmission. Based on that assessment, the committee mandated mask use for everyone in these areas and required maintaining at least a three-meter distance between individuals. The statement also reiterated that those who violate the decision will face administrative fines under Article 282 of Law No. 1593, ranging from 1,000 TL to 3,150 TL.
These measures aim to reduce social mobility and lower the chance of virus spread in one of Turkey’s busiest urban districts. Enforcement of the rules will be carried out by the relevant local authorities, who will apply the prescribed administrative sanctions where necessary. The decision reflects a precautionary approach to protect public health while allowing controlled reopening and movement in the city center.
Citizens frequenting Taksim Square and İstiklal Street are advised to follow the rules: wear masks at all times in these public areas, keep a minimum distance of three meters from others, and cooperate with officials implementing the measures to avoid fines and help limit the spread of infection.