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Turkey's relative coronavirus success may turn sour amid looming economic crisis

Turkey’s COVID-19 balance sheet: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has had relative success in combat against the outbreak, but a financial collapse could be on the horizon.

People wearing face masks shop at Eminonu district, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Istanbul, Turkey, May 4, 2020. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC2PHG9O2XF1
People wearing face masks shop at Eminonu district, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Istanbul, Turkey, May 4, 2020. — REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Although at one point it was feared that Turkey might follow Italy’s trajectory in terms of fatalities from the novel coronavirus pandemic, the country has instead been doing reasonably well, with 3,641 deaths as of May 7 compared with Italy's 29,958. With particular self-confidence, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that drastic measures imposed on 80% of the population would be gradually eased. The restrictions on movements of people age 65 and older and 20 and younger will be loosened. Turkish Airlines is expected to resume its domestic flights in June.

The infection seems to have reached its peak and begun to decline. 

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