Turkey has reimposed preventive measures in light of the rapid spread of the coronavirus, and infections hitting a record level since mid-June.
The Interior Ministry said it was banning certain events and ceremonies in 14 provinces, including the capital, Ankara.
In a nationwide notice, it said weddings in the 14 provinces would be allowed for up to one hour only, saying celebrations or parties were banned.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a new presidential decree Wednesday that made an informal working model official.
Under the decree, all state institutions may now implement “flexible working methods” to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak.
The decree, which was published in the Official Gazette, allows civil servants to work from home and in rotated shifts, replacing a brief administrative leave with the continued but safe working plan.
It gave managers the right to define flexible work principles, procedures and relevant principles.
Employees who benefit from these flexible work methods will be considered to have already fulfilled their job duties during this period.
According to the decree, employees working from home or in rotation will be equal in terms of responsibility, as their financial, social and other personal rights will be preserved.
It stressed that employees on leave, working from home or in rotation will not be able to leave the scope of their workplaces without their managers’ permission.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s new coronavirus cases jumped on Tuesday to their highest level since mid-June at 1,502, according to Health Ministry data.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter that 24 more people died from COVID-19, bringing the country’s death toll to 6,163.
Daily cases were last this high on June 15 - two weeks after Turkey lifted a partial lockdown - when the country logged 1,592 cases.
Head of Turkey’s opposition Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) Ali Babacan said on Tuesday he had tested positive for coronavirus but was in good health, becoming the most high-profile Turkish politician to contract the disease.
“I just learned my COVID-19 test result is positive. Thank God, I am in good condition at the moment. My doctors said I needed to remain in quarantine with my family for some time. I will continue my work from home, God willing,” he said on Twitter.
Babacan, 53, also a former deputy prime minister, resigned from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party last July over “deep differences” about the direction of the party he helped found. In March he formed his rival political party.
