Is a 4-Day Curfew Coming for May 19? Whether a four-day curfew will be implemented for May 19 is a topic many people are investigating. With the easing of measures and the reopening of shopping malls and hairdressers, public curiosity has increased. Important decisions expected to be announced after the cabinet meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are being watched closely. Restrictions for May 19 and potential travel bans for certain provinces are among the most anticipated issues. Since the coronavirus outbreak began, President Erdoğan has spent much of his time at the Huber Mansion and is preparing to chair the cabinet meeting for the seventh time today.
The cabinet meetings, held by videoconference, have focused on the global coronavirus pandemic. Following this meeting, President Erdoğan is expected to present the decisions in a national address. For May 19, which falls on a Tuesday in 2020 and marks the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, discussion centers on whether a four-day curfew covering May 16–19 (including May 19) will be imposed. At the same time, additional provinces may be added to the list where travel bans are lifted, and controlled, phased relaxations for other provinces are expected to be discussed.
General Review for Those 65 and Older and Those 20 and Younger
A general assessment will be made regarding the measures for people aged 65 and older and those 20 and younger. Last Sunday, seniors aged 65 and over—who had been subject to a long-standing curfew—were allowed to go outside for four hours. During the cabinet meeting, province-based analyses will be evaluated. Any easing of the curfew for those 65 and older and for those under 20 will be considered based on the Scientific Advisory Board’s recommendations.
Another key topic at the meeting will be feedback from the newly reopened venues such as shopping malls, barbershops, and hair salons. The meeting is also expected to review the global coronavirus outlook and discuss developments in tourism, food and agriculture, and the economy. The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, is expected to present preparations for cities that anticipate the start of the tourism season. Vice President Fuat Oktay is likely to brief the cabinet on measures and preparations related to the possibility of a second wave as part of the normalization process.