ISTANBUL, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) – Turkey is counting down the day for its first New Year celebrations, which will be held under the closure of COVID-19, while experts warn that the holidays should remain strictly within the family members.
The pandemic has forced authorities to reduce crowded events and there will be a four-day curfew across the country from the night of December 31st.
For the first time, there will be no party on the streets of Istanbul. The cafes, restaurants and clubs of the largest city in the country with more than 16 million euros, known for its colorful nightlife in normal times, will remain closed.
People have already started buying this festive moment, otherwise, amid drastic measures taken to curb the pandemic.
Tugce Ozgun, a resident of Istanbul’s Kadikoy district in the Asian part of the city, has compiled a limited list of things to buy this year for his parents and close friends.
“The only thing I’m grateful for this year is my health, to be honest. Otherwise, on a personal and professional level, it’s been bleak and difficult with everything that’s going on with the pandemic,” said the owner of a small said business in Xinhua.
“I will travel to Ankara to be with my mom and dad. We will be home all the time during the closing,” Ozgun noted. “But it will be good for my budget,” he said smiling. “I don’t have to buy a lot of presents, as there won’t be meetings with friends like in previous years.”
Many cafes and restaurants in major cities have announced special takeaway menus for this unprecedented New Year’s Eve night, offering turkey dinners and other gastronomic delights, including the much-loved kebabs.
Online shopping is also on the rise, especially among citizens under the age of 20 who are not allowed to use public transportation and can only go outdoors for three hours a day.
Feyza Dereli, director of marketing for one of Turkey’s leading e-commerce sites, GittiGidiyor, said the sector projects a minimum of 50% year-on-year increase in general holiday purchases this year, according to the Sabah newspaper .
The tourism sector affected by the coronavirus in Turkey also wants to take advantage of the holidays by hanging discounts on hotel stays to attract people.
Meanwhile, health specialists urge citizens to comply with hygiene standards and social distancing during the holidays.
Sema Turan, a member of the Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board of the Ministry of Health, urged citizens to celebrate at home only with the closest relatives.
“Don’t go outdoors, don’t go to big, crowded places. Even at home, there shouldn’t be a crowd. Otherwise, there will be consequences,” he warned.
Turan, who works in the intensive care unit at Ankara City Hospital, said the curfew eased case loads. “This shows that compliance with the rules can help fight the pandemic. If we continue to meet the restrictions, the outbreak could end in months,” he said.
The Panora Mall, one of Ankara’s largest outlets, is full of sale signs, with some stores offering up to a 50% discount on merchandise. One buyer, who introduced herself as Secil, said she was making the most of the savings on sales and buying gifts for her family.
“The pandemic has stolen a lot of happiness this year. We are about to say goodbye to 2021 and hope that 2021 will be better for everyone. We hope the vaccines defeat this virus,” he told Xinhua. Enditem