Nationwide Coronavirus Inspections to Be Carried Out Across Türkiye Under the "For Health, For All of Us" Motto
16.09.2020
Within the scope of its Covid-19 measures, the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Türkiye has sent a circular to the governorships of all 81 provinces regarding the inspections to be carried out tomorrow.
The circular stated that, in order to effectively continue the fight against the coronavirus outbreak, general inspections covering all areas of life will be carried out on Thursday, 17 September 2020 in all provinces and districts under the motto "For Health, For All of Us," by teams comprising governors, district governors, mayors, the managers and personnel of relevant public institutions and organizations, village/neighborhood headmen (muhtars), professional chambers, general law enforcement units (police, gendarmerie, coast guard) and private security officers (municipal police, private security, etc.) in person. The circular included the following information regarding the inspections to be carried out nationwide:
The inspections will be planned to cover places where citizens are present in large numbers, primarily intra-city and inter-city public transport vehicles, as well as food, beverage and entertainment venues such as eateries, cafes and restaurants, accommodation facilities, shopping malls, marketplaces, flea markets, coffeehouses, reading rooms, tea gardens, venues where weddings and marriage ceremonies are held, barbers/hairdressers/beauty centers, internet cafes/parlors and electronic gaming venues, bus terminals, commercial taxis, taxi stands, parks/picnic areas, amusement parks/theme parks and all areas of life (beaches, streets and avenues, etc.).
The inspection teams will be determined to consist of representatives of relevant public institutions and organizations (law enforcement, local administrations, provincial/district directorates, etc.), village/neighborhood headmen (muhtars) and professional chambers, taking into account the expertise required for each line of business or venue.
During the inspections, particular attention will be paid to whether cleanliness, mask and physical distancing rules are observed at events where citizens may gather in crowds (weddings in the form of marriage ceremonies, marriages, funerals, condolence gatherings, etc.) and in places (beaches, streets and avenues, park areas, etc.).
The effectiveness and visibility of the inspection activities will be kept at the highest level.
During the inspections, emphasis will be placed on activities aimed at guiding and raising awareness among citizens.
For non-continuous violations arising from instantaneous practices that can be readily remedied, proposals will be conveyed to the civil administrative authority for a warning upon the first violation, an administrative fine upon the second violation, and, for workplaces, commercial taxis and public transport vehicles, a suspension of activity of 1 day upon the third violation and 3 days upon the fourth violation.
For violations that pose a serious risk to public health and are of a continuous nature, or where there is persistence in conduct contrary to the rules/measures, the penalties to be determined by the Provincial/District General Sanitation Boards will be applied by the civil administrative authorities.
Governors and district governors will ensure coordination among local administrations, general law enforcement forces, public institutions and organizations, village/neighborhood headmen (muhtars) and professional chambers, make the necessary plans, and ensure that no disruption occurs in implementation.