Turkey's senior citizens allowed out for second Sunday

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Sevim Kocak, 79, wearing a face mask for protection against coronavirus, walks along the city's main Ataturk Boulevard during a four-day curfew declared by the government in an attempt to control the spread of coronavirus, in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, May 17, 2020. Turkey's senior citizens were allowed to leave their homes for a second time as the country continues to ease some coronavirus restrictions. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

ISTANBUL – Turkey’s senior citizens were allowed to leave their homes for a second Sunday as the country continues to ease some coronavirus restrictions.

People above 65 —the age group most at risk of developing serious COVID-19 symptoms— could spend six hours outside on Sunday, but their lockdown on other days continues. The health minister urged them to wear masks and practice social distancing.

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Turkey has instituted partial lockdowns with people above 65 and under 20, who are ordered to stay at home. The measure towards senior citizens came into force on March 21 and were relaxed for the first time last week.

Fifteen provinces, including Istanbul, are on the second day of a four-day lockdown. Senior citizens in crowded cities had the streets and parks to themselves.

Children and teenagers were also allowed out this week on different days for several hours.

The latest statistics by the health ministry show 44 new deaths from the coronavirus and 1,368 new infections, bringing the total death toll to 4,140 and cases to 149,435.

Turkey ranks ninth in the world for number of confirmed cases, according to Johns Hopkins University data, although experts believe the tally around the world is higher than reported.

Nearly 110,000 people have recovered from the disease in Turkey, the health ministry statistics show.

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