Istanbul, coronavirus pandemic

Refund process of fines for not wearing mask during the pandemic begins

The Turkish government has begun to refund fines imposed on citizens for not wearing a mask or violating lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic. The measure, which had already been previously announced, entered into force on August 5 after the Turkish Ministry of Treasury and Finance published a circular in the Official State Gazette, detailing that the refund process – upon request of those affected – will cover those sanctions imposed between March 11, 2020 and November 9, 2022. The request for the refund of the fines imposed for this cause can be made until December 31, 2024; so far, more than 320,000 people have requested the refund of fines paid for a total value of 309 million liras (more than 10 million euros).