In order to reduce the ongoing risk of the COVID-19 epidemic, a new one has been added to the decisions and measures taken so far to maintain social distance, and it has been made obligatory to wear a mask to everyone who goes out on the streets in more than 40 provinces, especially in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.
In accordance with Article 27 of the Public Health Law No. 1593 and in line with the recommendation of the Ministry of Health Science Committee; Decisions have been taken by the Hygiene Board in many provinces that make it compulsory for everyone going out on the street and open space to use a medical/cloth mask to cover their mouth and nose. Citizens who do not comply with the measures taken within the scope of these decisions are subject to administrative fines and moreover, imprisonment in accordance with Article 282 of the Public Health Law.
Accordingly, citizens who do not comply with the obligation to wear a mask will first have to pay an administrative fine of 3,150-TL (year 2020) determined within the framework of the Article 282 of the Public Health Law. However, he has the right to object to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace within 15 days from the date of notification against the administrative fine.
Even though “not wearing a mask” does not constitute a crime on its own, if the act constitutes the offenses in the Turkish Penal Code No. 5237 or other laws containing penal provisions, a prison sentence may also be in question. In particular, if a person who knows that he is carrying the virus causes other people to become ill or die by not wearing a mask, by infecting other people with the virus, his responsibility will come to the fore, from the crimes of injury to the crime of killing, which are regulated in the Turkish Penal Code. Therefore, non-compliance with the decisions taken brings with it administrative and judicial sanctions, and it is essential to show sensitivity in terms of complying with the measures.