Istanbul streets nearly empty due to virus

Some Istanbul residents were still out and about on Tuesday despite the government's call to stay at home.

The metropolis, home to over 15 million people, is operating at a fraction of its former bustling self, but there's still activity on some main streets.

Police have mounted checkpoints at central junctions to check if passengers have permits to leave the city, private broadcaster HaberTurk reported on Tuesday.

Police are also enforcing orders to sit separately on public transportation and taxis with odd and even-numbered license plates must now alternate days on which they can operate.

Turkey has reported 10,827 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 168 deaths.

The government is advising citizens to stay at home, but has so far resisted calls from opposition parties to impose a mandatory curfew, fearing a negative impact on the economy.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said late on Monday that the "wheels" (of production) must continue "turning".

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.