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Turkey's Erodgan cancels weekend curfew despite spike in cases

Hours after his government announced a weekend curfew for 15 major cities, a public backlash forced Turkey's president to call off the movement restrictions.
Turkish police officers wearing face masks, with the Byzantine-era monument of Hagia Sophia, now a museum, in the background, patrol at touristic Sultanahmet Square following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Istanbul, Turkey, June 5, 2020. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RC213H9TTIHG

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reversed course Friday and did not reimpose the country’s weekend lockdowns as expected amid a spike in novel coronavirus cases. 

Turkey has lifted restrictions on intercity travel and allowed a number of businesses such as restaurants and cafes as well as parks and sports facilities to reopen. This week, Turkey reopened two border crossings with Iraq and Iran. 

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