The Ministry of Interior Announced: Restrictions Lifted! According to the latest information, the Ministry of Interior has lifted working hour restrictions for businesses such as restaurants, cafés, tea gardens, and similar establishments. The circular sent to provincial governorates states that restrictions on operating hours for markets, bazaars and sales venues, barbershops, beauty salons, hairdressers, and shopping centers have also been removed. The circular dispatched to all 81 provincial governorates explains that significant measures were taken to manage the risk the coronavirus pandemic poses to public health and public order. Many precautionary decisions were implemented based on recommendations from the Ministry of Health and the Coronavirus Science Board and by directives from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Scope of the Circular Sent to 81 Provincial Governorates
According to the circular sent to the provincial governorates, during the controlled social life period, the general principles of combating the pandemic—cleanliness, mask use, and social distancing—remain essential. In addition, specific measures that each activity area must follow were determined so businesses can operate within a framework of rules and precautions. Under a previous circular, some businesses that had been temporarily closed were allowed to resume service until 22:00 starting June 1, 2020, provided they followed the specified rules. Due to increased demand for the services these businesses provide, closing hours were extended to 24:00.
The circular also reminds that restrictions on operating hours for markets, bazaars, sales venues, barbershops, beauty salons, hairdressers, and shopping centers have been lifted. At this stage, in line with sector-specific guidance issued by the Coronavirus Science Board and provided the recommended precautions are observed, restrictions were removed for the specified places as of July 21, 2020. Accordingly, working hour limitations have been lifted for restaurants, eateries, cafes, cafeterias, tea gardens, soup houses, kokoreç shops, social clubs, çiğ köfte vendors, coffeehouses, associations, and similar businesses. These businesses may now operate within the timeframes established by their general legislation and licensing conditions, provided they continue to comply with the health and safety measures outlined in the sectoral guidelines.