Skip to main content

Is Turkey ready for social distancing?

Turkey’s technological infrastructure is equipped to support the country through the pandemic, but the public lacks awareness of social distancing.
People wear protective face masks due to coronavirus concerns in Istanbul, Turkey March 16, 2020. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC27LF997IWS
Read in 

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the concept of social distancing has gained popularity, bringing with it two important questions: Do countries have sufficient technological infrastructure to implement the concept? And how many people can access that technology? Turkey, for its part, has the technological infrastructure to enforce social distancing, but the public needs to be educated on how to effectively use the internet and online services.

The number of coronavirus cases in Turkey will soon be in the thousands, even as the government released figures slowly and in a controlled manner in a bid to acclimatize the public mood. The death toll from COVID-19 is at three, and the total confirmed cases is at 191 as of March 19.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.