Northern Turkey governor lifts ban on alcohol sales following criticism

The governor's office of the northern province of Düzce removed a ban on alcohol sales in restaurants that it placed under the guise of COVID-19 prevention measures following criticism. The decision came after a meeting with local labor representatives who had publicly slammed the ban.

Duvar English

The governor's office of the northern province of Düzce removed a ban they placed on alcohol sales in local restaurants and cafes under the guise of COVID-19 prevention measures following criticism.

Governor's office in northern Turkey bans alcohol in restaurants under guise of COVID-19 measuresGovernor's office in northern Turkey bans alcohol in restaurants under guise of COVID-19 measures

As all businesses in Turkey reopened on June 1, the Düzce Governor's Office had banned eateries in the touristic district of Akçakoca from serving alcohol, forcing some to close down.

Following outcry by local businesses with liquor licenses, the governor's office met with the Akçakoca Business Owners and Artisans Chamber, leading to a lifting of the ban.

In an official notice released within merely days of implementing the ban, the governor's office announced that local eateries would in fact be allowed to operate until 10 p.m., with an additional hour of staying open for cleanup.