Turkey Reopens Istanbul’s Iconic Grand Bazaar

"We have slowed down economically over nearly three months [amid the pandemic] but with God's help and the people's unity we will move forward and our economy will rise again," Istanbul governor Ali Yerlikaya said at the ceremony, Anadolu Agency reported.

The Grand Bazaar, one of most popular tourist destinations in Istanbul, was closed on March 27 as part of the government's measures for stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

The bazaar was reportedly one of the hotspots of the pandemic, with the virus leaving more than 40 shop owners dead and hundreds infected.

Turkey lifted all restrictions on movement on Monday, as well as allowing all restaurants, cafes, gyms and kindergartens to reopen.

There are still nearly 32,000 active COVID-19 cases in the country and 827 new cases were registered on Monday.

So far, Turkey has registered 164,769 cases and nearly 129,000 have recovered. A total of 4,563 people have lost their lives.

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is the world's oldest and still largest shopping mall and trading centre, built by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1450 with the aim of making the city the main trade hub in the region.

It has 66 passageways and more than 4,000 shops, and attracted 91 million visitors last year.

A man walks in front of a jeweller at the famous Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Photo:EPA-EFE/SEDAT SUNA

A security guard wearing a protective face mask checks the body temperature of a customer at the famous Grand Bazaar. Photo: EPA-EFE/SEDAT SUNA

People wear face masks as they shop in the famous Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo:EPA-EFE/SEDAT SUNA

Photo: EPA-EFE/SEDAT SUNA