Turkish lockdown to slow virus before Champions League final

Posted April 29, 2021 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan, right, challenges PSG's Neymar during the Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Manchester City at the Parc des Princes stadium, in Paris, France , Wednesday, April 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The Associated Press

NYON, Switzerland (AP) - The Champions League final in Istanbul on May 29 should not be affected by a near three-week lockdown in Turkey to curb COVID-19 cases, UEFA said on Thursday.

Turkey has imposed a 'œfull lockdown'ť from Thursday evening which ends on May 17 after the holy month of Ramadan ends and the Eid holiday is celebrated.

The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also aims to slow infection rates ahead of the summer tourism season that Turkey's economy relies on.

UEFA hopes fans traveling from outside Turkey will be among 'œa limited number of spectators'ť attending European soccer's showpiece game at the 76,000-seat AtatÃ¼rk Olympic Stadium.

Turkish authorities have 'œassured that the temporary lockdown which is in force until 17 May should not have any impact on the match,'ť UEFA said in a statement.

Istanbul is hosting the Champions League final one year after it was originally scheduled. The 2020 final was moved to Lisbon as part of an August mini-tournament in the Portuguese capital from the quarterfinals.

Turkey's death toll from COVID-19 during the pandemic was nearing 40,000 on Thursday. The highest daily number of 362 deaths was recorded last week on April 21.

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People walk in central Istanbul, Monday, April 26, 2021. Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced the country's strictest pandemic restrictions so far, closing businesses and schools and limiting travel for nearly three weeks starting Thursday to fight a surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths. Turkey had so far instituted partial lockdowns to curb infections and to keep the economy running as it faces a significant economic downturn.The measures will be in place until May 17. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) The Associated Press

People dance at a park in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, April 28, 2021, a day before the latest lockdown to help protect from the spread of the coronavirus. As cases and deaths soar, Turkey is going into a full lockdown Thursday and last until May 17. Residents will be required to stay home except for grocery shopping and other essential needs, while intercity travel only will be allowed with permission. Restaurants are allowed to deliver food.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) The Associated Press

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