Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks with people at a taxi station in Istanbul. AP
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks with people at a taxi station in Istanbul. AP
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks with people at a taxi station in Istanbul. AP
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks with people at a taxi station in Istanbul. AP

Istanbul restricts indoor weddings as Covid-19 cases soar


  • English
  • Arabic

Authorities in Istanbul announced curbs on weddings and other ceremonies after the number of daily coronavirus cases and deaths reached their highest level nationwide in more than two months.

From Monday, indoor weddings, engagement parties and circumcision ceremonies will be banned, Istanbul's governor's office said.

Children and people aged over 60 will be barred from outdoor ceremonies, it said.

The restrictions were published a few hours before Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said 1,549 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Turkey on Saturday, the highest daily tally since mid-June. Thirty-nine people died, the most since mid-May, he said.

"The number of patients in serious condition continues to increase," Mr Koca tweeted.

"We cannot be relaxed about following the measures" to curb the outbreak, he said.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go

The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

When to visit

March-May and September-November

Visas

Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.