The iconic Istanbul Grand Bazaar, closed since March 23, reopened on Monday as Turkey lifted most of the restrictions imposed to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
The bazaar, which houses some 3,000 shops and 30,000 traders, thus emerges from its longest closure in almost six centuries of existence, apart from natural disasters and fires. This covered market, one of the largest in the world, welcomed around 150,000 people a day before it closed, mainly tourists. If the crowd in the alleys of the market is incommensurate with that before its closure, many barges went there as soon as it reopened.
Each Wednesday in the weeks preceding this reopening, cleaners sprayed the floors, columns and walls of the Bazaar with disinfectant to meet the hygiene rules imposed by the authorities. The reopening of the covered market was done within the framework of strict rules decreed by the Ministry of Health: the wearing of the mask will be compulsory and a limited number of customers will be accepted in the shops.
Partial deconfinement
The reopening of the bazaar comes as part of a easing of most of the restrictions imposed in Turkey to fight against the new coronavirus, which has killed more than 4,500 people out of nearly 164,000 officially registered cases in the country.
Libraries, restaurants and nurseries were able to reopen on Monday and travel between the main cities of the country, banned or restricted for two months, is once again authorized. Domestic flights, suspended since the end of March, have also partially resumed. International connections to certain destinations must resume from June 10.
Turkey had already started to lift certain measures in recent weeks, allowing for example the reopening of shopping centers and hairdressing salons. The confinement of those over the age of 65 and those under the age of 18 has, however, been maintained until further notice. Bars and nightclubs also remain closed. Concerts will be allowed only outdoors.