Splendid Isolation in Kusadasi

After applying very strict measures early on, Turkey gradually eased the lock downs, curfews and restrictions to kick start the economy.  Social distancing, hand sanitising and mask wearing are the primary precautions now in place.  At the beginning of June, cases started to rise again, partly due to increased, random testing.  For the first few days the figures looked to be leaping up but it has settled again but isn't really coming down quickly enough. Currently, across the country masks are to be worn in public places and on public transport by everyone over the age of 2 and there are no exemptions.  In some provinces, and the list keeps getting added to, masks must be worn from leaving the home. They can only be removed when eating, on the beach, or swimming.  A mask must be worn in the car even if you are alone or with your partner.  Whilst that might seem silly, it's to help the police in identifying who isn't complying so they can dish out the 900tl ...

Since my last post, I've not been back in to the centre of Kusadasi but I have been to the AVM outlet a few times. A few facts first.  Masks are mandatory in public.  At all malls, you have always had to go through an airport style security scanner to gain entry but now the guards also take your temperature.  Over the last 10 days, there has been an increase in daily cases, slightly higher than the same period in the UK but this been since more of the restrictions were lifted and is within the expected increase.  Having said that, because of behaviour, or should I say mis-behaviour, in some provinces, it is now being more strictly enforced with a 900tl fine for not wearing.  It should also be noted that a programme of random testing for the virus and antibodies is now being carried out, as well as the track and test of case contacts that has been in place from the start.  Two separate owners on our complex have been selected and were 'done' yesterday. ...

Last night, the Turkish President announced that from the following day (10th June) the over 65s could go out from 10:00 to 20:00 every day and they weren't restricted to walking.  I immediately contacted Murat at Medusacars and asked for my hire car back.  It was here by 10am today! I packed my rucksack ready for my foray in to Kusadasi.  Normally it's just money, cards, tissues, phone, glasses and a bottle of water.  Today I added gloves, masks, disinfectant and a rubbish bag for used masks. So, what to do?  I have been really looking forward to being able to do my own supermarket shopping just so I could browse and impulse buy.  My Turkish friends have been fabulous doing my shopping every week but I've tried to keep the lists short and simple.  I'm missing my walks along Long Beach but the number one thing, almost a symbolic rite, was to visit my favourite restaurant in the centre.   Unfortunately that visit was a bit of a let down. ...

When I started my blog, the plan was to avoid mentioning the pandemic, as much as possible, other than an initial post on 6 th April explaining why I had purposely decided to stay in Turkey.   Being on 100% curfew since late March is making it increasingly difficult to find new things to report and I do spend a lot of time keeping up to speed with what is happening in the UK as well as Turkey.   As both countries are now easing restrictions, I though it a good time to let you know how Turkey have managed the virus so you can compare. Turkey started to monitor incoming flights; testing and quarantining those they allowed to disembark as long ago as February or early March.   When it became obvious it was a pandemic, the borders were closed, international and domestic flights curtailed and inter-province travel banned.   The only incoming flights are repatriation of citizens and residents who are quarantined, at the government’s expense, in hotels and halls of res...