Turkey Eases Coronavirus-Related Restrictions

People wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, walk along a commercial area in Istanbul, Turkey, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP)
People wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, walk along a commercial area in Istanbul, Turkey, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP)
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Turkey Eases Coronavirus-Related Restrictions

People wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, walk along a commercial area in Istanbul, Turkey, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP)
People wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, walk along a commercial area in Istanbul, Turkey, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP)

Turkey eased the majority of coronavirus-related restrictions on Wednesday, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said, almost two years after the first case was identified in the country.

In a televised speech, Koca said wearing masks will not be mandatory outdoors or indoors when there is enough ventilation.

A contact tracing app code will no longer be asked when entering places like shopping malls or public institutions.

The fight against the disease will be at an individual level rather than society-wide, Koca said, adding that people without symptoms will not be tested.



In Call with Trump, Türkiye's Erdogan Backs US-Iran Talks, Ukraine Peace Moves

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during the Teknofest Aerospace and Technology Fair at the old Ercan Airport in the Turkish-administered part of Nicosia, Cyprus, 03 May 2025. (EPA)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during the Teknofest Aerospace and Technology Fair at the old Ercan Airport in the Turkish-administered part of Nicosia, Cyprus, 03 May 2025. (EPA)
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In Call with Trump, Türkiye's Erdogan Backs US-Iran Talks, Ukraine Peace Moves

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during the Teknofest Aerospace and Technology Fair at the old Ercan Airport in the Turkish-administered part of Nicosia, Cyprus, 03 May 2025. (EPA)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during the Teknofest Aerospace and Technology Fair at the old Ercan Airport in the Turkish-administered part of Nicosia, Cyprus, 03 May 2025. (EPA)

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a phone call with US President Donald Trump, expressed support for US negotiations with Iran and efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, the Turkish presidency said on Monday.

Erdogan invited Trump to visit Türkiye, and said Ankara would continue to take steps to advance cooperation with the United States in many areas, especially in the defense industry, according to the readout of the call shared by the presidency.