President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Announces a Phased Normalization Plan. Following today’s cabinet meeting, the President outlined the steps for easing restrictions. He first provided details on the anticipated relaxations for citizens aged 65 and over and those 20 and under. Under the plan, people aged 65 and over will be permitted to go outside for four hours on one of the weekend days when the curfew is in place, provided they remain within walking distance. The first implementation for this group will take place on Sunday, May 10, from 11:00 to 15:00. For those aged 20 and under, the outings will be organized in two groups: ages 0–15 and ages 15–20. President Erdoğan also announced that barbers, hairdressers and shopping malls will reopen on Monday, May 11.
President Erdoğan continued with an overall assessment, noting the number of patients and recoveries. He said Turkey has shown an exemplary fight against the coronavirus and that health-care practices have evolved during treatment. He reported a decline in new cases and a steady increase in recoveries. Thanks to the efforts of all health-care personnel, from doctors to nurses, hospitals have avoided scenes that would pain the conscience. Erdoğan emphasized that all steps were taken very carefully and in line with the recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Board, and he noted that cash assistance has been provided to those eligible for social aid.
Normalization Will Be Implemented Gradually
We have completed about one and a half months of measures. We understand how much students who cannot attend school, tradespeople, workers, young and old—all whose lives have been restricted—miss their normal lives. The return to normal will be gradual. It is important to remember that this normalization will not be the same as the pre-pandemic normal. This applies worldwide: the normalization we are returning to is a new normal. Even as some restrictions are eased, others will remain in place.
The normalization plan was prepared under the coordination of the Vice President with the participation of all ministries. The plan reflects public expectations and ministry work and has been shaped within the framework of the Ministry of Health and the Scientific Advisory Board’s recommendations.
What Will the May Normalization Plan Look Like?
We will gradually relax restrictions across May, June and July. Social distancing and mask use will remain essential. The first good news is for citizens aged 65 and over and those 20 and under. As noted, people over 65 will be allowed a four-hour outdoor period on one of the curfew weekends within walking distance of their homes; the first such allowance will be on Sunday, May 10, 2020, from 11:00 to 15:00. Intercity travel restrictions in 31 provinces have been lifted in seven provinces: Antalya, Aydın, Erzurum, Hatay, Malatya, Mersin and Muğla. Decisions for each province will be reviewed weekly. For the remaining 24 provinces, the restriction has been extended by 15 days.
For Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara, the alternating license plate rule for taxis will be lifted after May 5. Barbers, hairdressers and beauty centers will be allowed to reopen starting May 11. The sale of surgical and cloth masks will be allowed in accessible public locations where they were previously restricted. Military discharge processes will begin on May 11. Ministry of National Defense appointments, assignments and personnel recruitment activities will resume on June 1; draft arrivals will begin on June 5; and paid military service procedures will start on June 20.
Exam Dates Have Been Rescheduled
Rescheduled Exam Dates: The Higher Education Institutions exam (YKS) will be held on June 27–28, 2020. The High School Entrance Exam (LGS) is set for June 20, and the Military Student Exam will take place on June 14. Universities may return to their academic calendars on June 15. Court proceedings that were paused—trials, inspections, judicial processes, and enforcement and bankruptcy proceedings—will resume on June 15.