Turkey shuts cinemas, cafes, gyms to halt coronavirus spread, extends flight ban

FILE PHOTO: People wear protective face masks due to coronavirus concerns in Istanbul, Turkey March 13, 2020. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey will temporarily close cafes, sports and entertainment venues and is suspending mass prayers in mosques in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus, after it identified its first 18 cases in the last week, authorities said on Monday.

Ankara also extended a flight ban to six more countries including Britain and the United Arab Emirates, bringing the total number of countries to 20, the health minister said.