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Türkiye’s Fight Against COVID-19 Pandemic

imposed at official public holidays considering the supply chain of economy
and the basic needs.

2. Measures for Social Isolation

Beginning from the day when the first positive case was confirmed in the
county, Türkiye launched social isolation practices as a first step in a coordinated
way. Social isolation is a state of being partially or completely away from the
society in order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases which may be
transmitted from air or from person to person. In this way, social mobility is
restricted as much as possible.

Upon the recommendation of the Scientific Board and under the
leadership of the Presidency, various measures were taken and implemented
by public institutions such as the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education,
Directorate of Religious Affairs, Board of Higher Education, etc.

On 16 March 2020, the Ministry of Education and the Board of
Higher Education announced that face-to-face classes at schools and
universities were suspended, thereby isolating the students at the
universities as well as the dormitories and minimizing the spread of

the virus. On the same day, the Ministry of Interior issued a detailed
circular which includes rules to be applied for social isolation at the
restaurants where people gather. Later, the places such as coffee houses,
hairdressers, game halls, internet cafes, etc., where there is a high risk

of infection were closed, and the funeral and burial procedures were
determined in line with the new rules.

With the Presidential Circular No: 2020/3, the scientific, cultural, art and
similar events were postponed until the end of April. The public institutions
started to work remotely, and flexible working arrangement and home office
was allowed. The Presidency of Religious Affairs announced that the mass
prayers at the mosques were banned and they were only allowed in small
groups in line with social distancing rule. In addition, the sports events were
completely postponed.

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