Turkey's Grand Bazaar reopens as government eases restrictions

Turkey reopened restaurants, cafes and Istanbul's famed 15th century Grand Bazaar on Monday as the government further eased coronavirus restrictions.

Many other centres including parks, beaches, libraries and museums reopened across the country, while millions of public sector employees returned to work.

At Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, traders were dusting the shelves and tidying their shops while janitors scrubbed floors as the world-famous site welcomed visitors again.

The bazaar on the historic peninsula also home to tourist sites such as the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, was closed on March 23 to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

It was the market's longest closure in its more than 550-year  history that did not involve fires or earthquakes.

Its reopening was a symbolic move for Turkey and for the world, said celebrity chef Nusret Gokce, nicknamed Salt Bae, who runs a steak restaurant in the bazaar.

"Istanbul is the capital of the world and the Grand Bazaar is the first shopping mall of the world. We are waiting for everyone," Mr Gokce said.

Diners at his popular restaurant are encouraged to read what's on offer on their phones rather than handling the printed menus.

Elsewhere at the market, some shopowners were eager to get business back on track, while acknowledging that it could take time for crowds to return.

"I cannot say business is good for the time being but God willing it will gradually be soon," carpet seller Ali Amac said.

Turkey, with a population of 83 million, has recorded more than 4,500 virus-related deaths.

The government has boasted of its success in handling the outbreak and avoiding the catastrophes of countries such as Italy or the UK

Officials say the pandemic is under control, but have repeatedly warned citizens to respect social-distancing rules and wear masks outside.

Bars and nightclubs remain closed, while restaurants and cafes, open for the first time since March 16, must space tables apart and diners must wear masks when not eating.

In one cafe near Istanbul's central Taksim Square, mannequins have been set up at the tables to aid social distancing and give the impression that the place is busier.

Domestic flights also resumed between a limited number of cities, as an inter-city travel ban was lifted, with national carrier Turkish Airlines carrying out its first trip since early April.

International flights remain suspended until June 10.

The flight ban has stranded some, including Sanaa Kheddar, an Algerian tourist stuck in Istanbul since mid-March.

Ms Kheddar decided to spend Monday at the Grand Bazaar with her husband, after weeks of being shut in.

"We heard it would open today so we came," she said. "It's the first time. It is amazing, it is wonderful."

All visitors must wear masks at the bazaar, and customer numbers are limited inside shops.

Some of the traders complained of inadequate air flow.

"Windows in the bazaar's main artery are open but this isn't the case in this section," said Celal, brushing off the dust on "evil eye" jewellery.

Celal hoped windows would be opened because there was no air conditioning.

"Otherwise we're like in a fish bowl," he said.

The bazaar – which was built in 1455, just two years after the Ottomans seized Istanbul, then known as Constantinople – is home to almost 3,000 shops where more than 30,000 people work.