Turkey goes \`fully lockdown\` from April 29

Turks will be required to stay mostly at home under a nationwide 'full lockdown' starting on Thursday and lasting until May 17 to curb a surge in coronavirus infections and deaths.

Turkey logged 43_301 new COVID-19 infections and 346 deaths in the last 24 hours_ worldometer shows_ still the world's fourth highest number of cases and the worst on a per-capita basis among major nations.

Announcing the new measures after a cabinet meeting_ Erdogan said all intercity travel would require official approval_ all schools would shut and move lessons online_ and a strict capacity limit would be imposed for users of public transport.

Turks will have to stay indoors except for essential shopping trips and urgent medical treatment. Certain groups including emergency service workers and employees in the food and manufacturing sectors will be exempt.

The new restrictions take effect from 1600 GMT on Thursday and will end at 0200 GMT on May 17.

"At a time when Europe is entering a phase of reopening_ we need to rapidly cut our case numbers to below 5_000 not to be left behind. Otherwise we will inevitably face heavy costs in every area_ from tourism to trade and education_" Erdogan said.

The measures will be implemented "in the strictest manner to ensure they yield the results we seek"_ he said.

Two weeks ago Turkey announced a night-time curfew from 7 p.m. till 5 a.m. on weekdays_ as well as full weekend lockdowns_ after cases surged to record levels_ but the measures proved insufficient to bring the pandemic under control.

Total daily cases in Turkey peaked above 63_000 on April 16 before dropping sharply to below 39_000 on Sunday.

The total death toll in Turkey_ a nation of 84 million_ stood at 38_711 on Monday_ the health ministry data showed.