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.



Closure of Strait of Hormuz Seriously Being Reviewed by Iran, Lawmaker Says

A cargo ship is moored at the Piraeus Container Terminal, near Athens, Greece, September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis/ File Photo
A cargo ship is moored at the Piraeus Container Terminal, near Athens, Greece, September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis/ File Photo
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Closure of Strait of Hormuz Seriously Being Reviewed by Iran, Lawmaker Says

A cargo ship is moored at the Piraeus Container Terminal, near Athens, Greece, September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis/ File Photo
A cargo ship is moored at the Piraeus Container Terminal, near Athens, Greece, September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis/ File Photo

The closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz was being seriously reviewed by Iran, IRINN reported, citing statements by Esmail Kosari, a member of the parliament's security commission, Reuters reported.

The Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Oman and Iran, is the world's most important gateway for oil shipping.