Turkey records 25,980 new COVID-19 cases, 340 deaths
A member of the Turkish Police Dog Training Center plays with a K-9 dog at Taksim Square during a nationwide "full closure" imposed to slow the rate of the coronavirus contagion, in central Istanbul, Turkey May 1, 2021. (Reuters Photo)


Turkey recorded 25,980 new COVID-19 infections and 340 deaths Sunday, the Health Ministry data showed.

Despite a widespread vaccination campaign, the country has been struggling to contain skyrocketing infection numbers in the past weeks.

With Sunday’s figures, the total coronavirus cases since the outbreak’s beginning in the country reached 4.8 million, while the total death toll stood at 40,844.

The data showed more than 240,000 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the country over the past 24 hours.

For recoveries, 75,182 patients were declared recovered by the ministry, bringing the total figure to 4.48 million.

After witnessing an overwhelming number of new infections, the government decided to reintroduce several restrictions that had been previously eased as part of the normalization process.

Starting April 14, special measures went into effect for the first two weeks of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The weekday curfew now lasts from 7 p.m. (moved forward from 9 p.m.) to 5 a.m., during which intercity travel will also be banned, except in emergency cases. Weekend lockdowns will also continue in high-risk cities.

Cafes and restaurants will only provide delivery and takeout services, while wedding halls, sports centers and gyms will remain closed until the end of Ramadan.

Ankara is expected to announce either new restrictions or the continuation of current measures next week following a Cabinet meeting.

On April 29, Turkey implemented one of the strictest lockdowns since the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country in March 2020.