Will there be a curfew on April 23? Three different options are being considered. New bans and measures are being introduced daily in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Authorities continue to evaluate developments and take precautions. The most recent question under discussion is whether a curfew will be imposed on Thursday, April 23, 2020. April 24, 2020, falls on a Friday and is expected to mark the start of Ramadan and the first day of fasting. Several proposals are being reviewed to manage the overlap of these dates, and decision-makers are working toward a unified approach.
Will a Curfew Be Enforced on Thursday, April 23, 2020?
Deliberations continue over whether a curfew will be enforced on Thursday, April 23, 2020. Authorities are weighing how to handle restrictions after two consecutive weekends of lockdowns aimed at limiting outdoor activity during pleasant weather. The public is particularly interested in whether a four-day restriction will be implemented to preserve social distancing and maintain isolation.
The Cabinet has scheduled a meeting today, and the public awaits the outcome. The primary agenda item is whether to impose a curfew on April 23. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to announce the decision live after the meeting. Preliminary information suggests that a full curfew across April 23–26 is unlikely, given concerns about crowding in stores ahead of Ramadan.
One alternative under consideration is keeping markets and bakeries open on April 23 and 24 while closing other businesses to reduce congestion. Under this plan, markets would operate on Thursday and Friday, followed by a possible curfew on Saturday and Sunday—April 25 and 26—in the 30 metropolitan provinces and Zonguldak.
Another proposal discussed in the Cabinet meeting is to declare April 23 a public holiday for National Sovereignty and Children’s Day while allowing normal business hours on Friday, April 24. In parallel, the option of imposing weekend curfews in the 30 metropolitan provinces and Zonguldak remains on the table. The final decision will be announced live by the President.