Important information regarding the Ministry of the Interior's prohibitions...

Dear Member,

As you are aware, various measures and temporary prohibitions have been put into effect by numerous institutions, foremost the T.R. Ministry of Health, in order to halt the spread of the "Novel Coronavirus" in our country.

Most recently, on 15 March 2020 at 22:00, the T.R. Ministry of the Interior sent a supplementary circular on novel coronavirus (Covid-19) measures to the Governorships of all 81 provinces, announcing that, due to the coronavirus outbreak, all nightclubs, discotheques, bars and night clubs throughout Turkey would temporarily suspend their operations as of 16 March 2020 at 10:00.

On 16 March 2020 at 17:00, the Ministry of the Interior sent a further supplementary circular on "Coronavirus Measures" to the Governorships of all 81 provinces. Under the circular, as of 24:00 on 16 March 2020, the operations of theaters, cinemas, performance centers, concert halls, engagement/wedding halls, restaurants/cafes with live or recorded music, casinos, beer houses, taverns, coffeehouses, reading rooms, cafeterias, garden cafes, hookah lounges, hookah cafes, internet halls, internet cafes, all kinds of game arcades, all kinds of indoor children's play areas (including those within shopping malls and restaurants), tea gardens, association clubhouses, amusement parks, swimming pools, Turkish baths, saunas, thermal spas, massage parlors, spas and sports centers were temporarily suspended.

Pursuant to the relevant circulars of our Ministry of the Interior, our Association has received numerous questions and requests for information from accommodation facilities that house the venues listed above, causing concern as to whether the prohibition also applies to them. Contact has been established with the competent authorities, foremost the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of the Interior and the Istanbul Governorship.

As a result of the contacts and discussions held, although the Ministry of the Interior's circulars make no reference to accommodation facilities, it is understood that the fundamental purpose of the prohibitions is to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and the risk of transmission of the disease by people gathering together in very close proximity, and that, pursuant to the mandatory provisions of the General Public Health Law No. 1593 applied in such cases, the areas specified in the Ministry of the Interior's circulars also cover establishments licensed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

We bring this matter to your attention given its importance.

Respectfully,

TÜROB-Head Office

ATTACHMENT:

Ministry of the Interior's supplementary circular of 16 March 2020 on "Coronavirus Measures" https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/81-il-valiligine-coronavirus-tedbirleri-konulu-ek-genelge-gonderdi