After the cabinet meeting, restrictions for those aged 18 and under and those 65 and over have been lifted. Following the Presidential Cabinet meeting, the announcements were as follows: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that citizens aged 65 and over will be allowed to go outside every day between 10:00 and 20:00. He also announced that restrictions for individuals aged 18 and under have been fully removed, provided they are accompanied by their parents.
The President opened his remarks by noting this was the first in-person cabinet meeting held after a long interval and affirmed Turkey will continue on its course with the same determination. He emphasized that measures such as masks, social distancing, and hygiene will be maintained firmly until the coronavirus is eradicated. He then summarized the decisions taken at the meeting as follows.
Decisions Taken After the Cabinet Meeting
President Erdoğan outlined the decisions reached during the cabinet meeting. The main measures and changes are listed below.
- Closing time for restaurants, cafés and similar establishments has been extended from 22:00 to 24:00.
- Performance venues and similar businesses will reopen starting 1 July 2020.
- Citizens aged 65 and over may go outside every day between 10:00 and 20:00.
- Restrictions for individuals under 18 have been completely lifted provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Civil registry and marriage halls will resume operations from 15 June 2020, and wedding halls will reopen from 1 July 2020.
- Cinemas, theatres and performance centers will reopen starting 1 July 2020.
- Scientists at TÜBİTAK have succeeded in synthesizing the antiviral drug Favipiravir domestically, which is used by physicians in the treatment of COVID-19.
These decisions reflect a phased return to normal activities while continuing to prioritize public health measures. Authorities reiterated the importance of following mask use, maintaining physical distance, and practicing hygiene to reduce transmission as services and venues reopen.