The population census planned for April and May will be delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic and is expected to take place in two phases from September 13 to October 17, the government recommended on Thursday in amendments to the Census of the Population, Households, and Dwellings Act.

In the first phase, citizens would fill in the census form online using the e-Citizens application, while the second would include personal interviews by census-takers, who would also verify the data collected in the first stage.

Under the amendments, the first phase would take place on 13-26 September instead of on 1-10 April, and the second from 27 September to 17 October instead of from 16 April to 7 May.

The reference date will be the situation as on August 31 instead of March 31.

In case it is not possible to conduct the census, the government will formulate new dates by special decision to be published in the Official Gazette.