ANKARA: Turkey’s daily COVID-19 cases fell below 20,000 for the first time since March 17 on Saturday, with 18,052 infections over the last 24 hours, health ministry data showed.
Last week, President Tayyip Erdogan announced what he called a “full lockdown” until May 17 to curb a surge in infections and deaths after the country eased restrictions in early March.
The data showed another 281 deaths from the coronavirus on Saturday, raising the total toll to 42,746. Total cases exceeded 5 million, although there has been a fall in infections since the lockdown.
In recent weeks, Turkey has ranked fourth globally in terms of COVID-19 cases, with daily infections topping 60,000.
However, Erdogan said earlier on Saturday that he hoped a “new normalization” period would begin after May 17, adding that reopening schools would be included in steps to be announced after the lockdown.
“There is a serious fall in death numbers now. This shows the measures we took are paying off,” Erdogan said.
Despite the recent fall in infections, Turkey on Friday was placed on the UK government’s travel red list, a move that threw the status of the Champions League final on May 29 and the Formula One Turkish Grand Prix on June 11-13 — both to be held in Istanbul — into doubt.
The pandemic has also hurt Turkey’s tourism revenues, which plunged by two-thirds to $12 billion last year.
Turkey COVID cases below 20,000 for first time since mid-March
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Turkey COVID cases below 20,000 for first time since mid-March
- Last week Erdogan announced "full lockdown" until May 17 to curb a surge in Covid-19 infections and deaths
- In recent weeks, Turkey has ranked fourth globally in terms of COVID-19 cases, with daily infections topping 60,000
Jordanian king and Indonesian president to cooperate in stability efforts in Gaza
- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto emphasized his country’s commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state
- King Abdullah stressed the importance of dialogue to reduce tensions related to Iran and to support stability in Syria and Lebanon
LONDON: King Abdullah II and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto discussed cooperation in an effort to restore stability in the Palestinian coastal enclave of Gaza.
The meeting on Wednesday at Basman Palace in Amman focused on regional issues, particularly the support for achieving peace based on the two-state solution, and the commitment to protecting Palestinians in Gaza, according to Petra news agency.
King Abdullah praised Indonesia’s political position and highlighted its investments in regional projects as essential to enhancing collaboration.
Subianto emphasized his country’s commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state, achieving lasting peace in the region, and ending the conflict in Gaza.
The talks highlighted the ties between Jordan and Indonesia, spanning over 75 years, and the commitment to enhancing cooperation in politics, economics, defense, business, energy, science, technology, and health.
King Abdullah stressed the importance of dialogue to reduce tensions related to Iran and support the Syrian Arab Republic and Lebanon in maintaining their security, sovereignty, and stability, Petra added.
Several Jordanian officials attended the talk, including Crown Prince Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, and Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, and Escort of Honour Yarub Qudah.
