Good news for Istanbul: the Grand Bazaar is reopening. The Grand Bazaar, which had closed its shutters due to the coronavirus pandemic, will reopen after a period of suspension. This historic market, which has never previously closed its doors since Ottoman times, was temporarily shut to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As the outbreak’s progression has shown a decline, an opening date for the Istanbul Grand Bazaar has been announced. All necessary precautions have been put in place ahead of reopening. The Istanbul Grand Bazaar is preparing to reopen its doors on Monday, June 1, 2020. After that date, the bazaar will be open to visitors from 10:00 to 16:00.
When the coronavirus began spreading across the country, one of the measures implemented was the temporary closure of the Grand Bazaar. Before the pandemic, the Grand Bazaar welcomed an average of 150,000 local and international visitors per day. With a history stretching back 559 years, the bazaar is one of the city’s oldest landmarks. As the country moved into phases of normalization and shopping centers began to reopen, a decision was made to reopen the Grand Bazaar to visitors as well. According to the announced information, the Grand Bazaar, which closed completely to visitors on March 24, 2020, will reopen on Monday, June 1, 2020. Prior to the pandemic, the bazaar’s hours were 08:00 to 18:00; during the outbreak the new hours have been set to 10:00 to 16:00 to allow for additional safety measures.
Entry to the Grand Bazaar Will Require Masks
Entry to the Grand Bazaar will require masks. The mayor of Fatih stated that after approximately two months of closure, the bazaar will reopen only after extensive health precautions and a full disinfection process completed prior to the reopening. The mayor emphasized that all necessary steps have been taken and will continue to be enforced for the world’s oldest covered market, which hosts dozens of tourists daily. He confirmed that the entire market will be disinfected just before the reopening and that no staff working inside the bazaar will be without masks; visitors without masks will also not be allowed.
Officials said visitors and employees will be admitted under controlled conditions: masks and hygiene rules must be observed, social distancing will be maintained, and temperature checks will be conducted. The mayor added that inspections by municipal police will be increased and that the Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar will be monitored according to the new normal standards.