While 24 provinces, including Ankara and Istanbul, are subject to a weekend lockdown, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week that senior citizens could leave their homes between 0800 GMT and 1200 GMT yesterday.
They had not been permitted to go outside since March 21.
“Finally it is like we are on holiday as of 11 o’clock (0800 GMT) today. We are very happy,” Istanbul resident Umit Avci, 81, said yesterday.
“It’s the first time I’ve come outside since March and I’m so happy, I’m filled with joy,” Ankara resident Ayse said.
Minutes before the official start, people in masks, and some in gloves, were walking on the streets in Ankara.
Small parks in the capital were later packed with senior citizens, while police in one park walked around and used loudspeakers urging people to follow social distancing rules.
Some senior citizens called on the government to allow them to go out on weekdays.
“What can we do now? Everywhere is closed, we cannot do anything. They should take this into consideration,” Saim Ilker said in Istanbul.