With Turkey in full lockdown, people leave cities

ANKARA, Turkey —  People in Turkey stocked up on groceries, thronged markets and left cities for their hometowns or the southern coast on Thursday before the country entered its strictest lockdown of the pandemic.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan imposed a “full lockdown” that will last until May 17 amid soaring COVID-19 cases and deaths. It is the first nationwide lockdown lasting nearly three weeks. The Turkish government had previously opted for partial lockdowns or weekend curfews in a bid to reduce the economic impact.

Under the new restrictions, residents are required to stay home except for grocery shopping and other essential needs, while intercity travel is allowed only with permission. Restaurants are allowed to deliver food.

Some businesses and industries are exempt from the shutdown, including factories and agriculture, healthcare and supply chain and logistics companies. Lawmakers, healthcare workers, law enforcement officers and tourists are also exempt from the stay-at-home order.

Many people left large cities such as Istanbul and Ankara to spend the shutdown — which spans the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, as well as the three-day Eid holiday — at vacation homes on the coast. Bus terminals and airports were packed with travelers, while vehicles backed up in severe traffic at the entrance of the Aegean coastal resort of Bodrum, broadcaster Haberturk and other media reported.

People crowded shops to stock up on food and other supplies even though grocery stores will remain open.

Shops selling alcohol weren’t exempted and have to close during the lockdown. Social media saw an uproar as users accused Erdogan’s conservative government of trying to impose its Islamic values.

This month, Turkey’s confirmed COVID-19 infections averaged about 60,000 each day during the peak week. The country recorded its highest daily death toll on April 21, with 362 fatalities.

On Thursday, the country reported 37,674 new confirmed cases and 339 deaths. Turkey’s total death toll in the pandemic now stands at 39,737.

Erdogan said daily confirmed cases would have to rapidly drop below 5,000 for Turkey “to not be left behind” as many European countries start reopening. The country relies heavily on tourism to bring in foreign currency and wants to slow infection rates before the season starts.

Erdogan’s government has come under intense criticism for holding mass party congresses across the country, in breach of social-distancing rules. Opposition parties have blamed his ruling party for the surge in cases.

Top government officials were also seen attending crowded funerals while many businesses remained closed and the public was required to keep attendance at funerals small.