Turkey faces COVID-19 crisis

People crowded bus stations and airports to leave Istanbul ahead of Turkey’s first full lockdown, scheduled through May 17. Until now, the country has managed its COVID-19 cases with limited restrictions, but April brought a new wave of infections, peaking at around 60,000 cases per day. Schools will go entirely virtual, unauthorized travel is forbidden, and all businesses without a government exemption must close. Residents fear the economic implications of the lockdown: Turkey is already experiencing high unemployment and inflation.

Where else are coronavirus cases rising? On Thursday, officials in Syria announced an extension of a partial lockdown as cases increased and aid groups warned of a potential oxygen shortage. In India, residents are turning to the black market and unproven medications as the country continues to see record-high COVID-19 cases. Many other countries, especially in Africa, were relying on vaccine deliveries from India, which have stopped under an export ban.

Dig deeper: Read Mindy Belz’s report on refugees waiting in Turkey.