Surgical masks and three-meters distance now mandatory on Istanbul's Istiklal Avenue

Surgical masks will now be mandatory on Istanbul's central Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue that leads to it, and a three-meters distance will be required between pedestrians. The district governor's office also said that the violation of both measures will be penalized by monetary fines.

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Surgical masks will now be mandatory on Istanbul's central Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue that leads to it, and a three-meters distance will be required between pedestrians.

The Beyoğlu District Governor's Office also said in a May 8 statement that failure to comply with the new regulations will be penalized with monetary fines.

The new requirements come days after a few days of increased crowds at the central destinations.

Turkey's Health Minister Fahrettin Koca had tweeted a photo from Istiklal Avenue May 6, noting that the street was much more crowded than it should be to slow the spread of COVID-19.

"Istiklal Avenue didn't photograph well today. It's way too soon for so many people to be in one frame," Koca had warned in a tweet.

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