Turkey
Travel restrictions
On June 11th 2020, Turkey announced opening the majority of its international air, land, and sea borders. However, the border with Iran and Syria remains closed.
Passengers arriving in Turkey will be required to complete an information form and will be checked for symptoms. Anyone suspected of having COVID-19 will be transported to a hospital for examination.
Turkish Ministry of Health officials screen travelers at airports and maritime ports, as well as some land crossings, using thermal cameras; and travelers with temperatures will be subject to public health requirements, which may include mandatory hospital stay and/or testing that results in hospital quarantine.
Beginning December 30th, 2020 all international passengers aged 6 years and older traveling to Turkey are required to have taken a COVID-19 PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours prior to their flight. Passengers must submit their test results to the airline at the time of check-in. Passengers failing to submit a negative PCR test will not be permitted to board the flight to Turkey.
As of March 15th 2021, all passengers arriving in Turkey (except the transit passengers) are now required to fill out “Form for Entry to Turkey” at “http://register.health.gov.tr” within the last 72 hours before their flights.
Direct flights from Brazil, Denmark, South Africa, and the UK remain cancelled.
Measures taken by the government
On May 4th 2020, President Erdogan announced initial steps to reduce restrictions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
On September 8th 2020, the Turkish Interior Ministry issued a notice to the public regarding new COVID restrictions/guidance. Violators will be issued fines. The new restrictions are as follows:
- Face masks must be worn in public (e.g., streets, gardens, workplaces, etc.) at all times in all 81 provinces of Turkey.
- Standing passengers will not be allowed in urban public transportation vehicles where physical distance rules cannot be applied.
- The playing of live music at restaurants and cafes after midnight is forbidden.
As of October 15th 2020, the Government of Turkey requires everyone living in Turkey to present a Hayat Eve Sigar (HES) code while staying in hotels, using inner city public transport, and at inter-city bus travel rest stops. Some airlines are also requiring a HES code for residents and foreign travelers attempting to purchase airline tickets for domestic and/or international travel.
Information on how to obtain this HES code is available at: https://hayatevesigar.saglik.gov.tr/index-eng.html
On November 17th 2020, the Turkish Ministry of Interior announced a series of additional measures to combat COVID-19 in Turkey.
On March 1st 2021, the Government of Turkey announced a four-tier system on local COVID-19 related restrictions. Provinces are now divided into 4 different risk groups: low (blue), medium (yellow), high (orange), and very high (red) based on infection and vaccination rates.
The nationwide curfew between 9PM and 5AM Monday through Friday, will continue throughout Turkey.
Starting March 1st 2021, dining establishments (restaurants, patisseries, cafes, and cafeterias) will be open for in-person dining at half capacity nationwide between 7AM and 7PM, excluding “very high” risk regions. Shopping malls, supermarkets, barbers and hairdressers will only be open for service during the same hours (7am-7pm).
On March 29th 2021, the Government of Turkey announced the latest update on the COVID-19 situation and status of each of Turkey’s 81 provinces. For the full list of Turkey provinces please refer to the Ministry of Health Website: https://covid19.saglik.gov.tr/
Provinces listed in the very high-risk provinces according to the Ministry of Health, will observe weekend curfews from 9 PM on Friday and cover the entire weekend (Saturday and Sunday), and ending at 5 AM on Monday.
During the upcoming Ramadan holiday, the Turkish government has announced a lock-down throughout the entire Ramadan holiday and during weekends from May 12th until May 16th, 2021.
On Tuesday, April 13th, 2021, the Government of Turkey announced partial restrictions for the month of Ramadan and Bayram April 14th to May 17th, 2021. These restrictions will be reviewed and updated in two weeks if necessary.
All other restrictions previously announced by the Government of Turkey are still in effect.
Foreigners in the country temporarily for tourism are exempt from curfews and travel permit requirements.
Testing
PCR testing while staying in Turkey for foreigners is limited to those who have symptoms, or those who may have an entry requirement back to their home country. Testing is paid for by the traveler.
The government of Turkey has updated their?website with the list of facilities in Turkey that perform COVID-19 tests: https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/haberler/yetkilendirilmis-covi-d-19-tani-laboratuvarlari.html
PCR testing is available at Istanbul Airport. There is no need for an appointment to visit the airport’s testing center, as it is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The testing center is in front of Entrance 14 in Arrivals Hall. The test fee is 250 TL or about $35 for all ages. You must arrive at the airport at least 6 hours prior to your flight with a valid ticket and a valid passport, test results take up to 5 hours.
PCR testing is now available at Ankara Esenboga Airport. There is no need for an appointment to visit the airport’s testing center, as it is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The testing center is located in the International Departures Terminal, past the checkpoint, on the ground floor by the First Aid Office. The test fee is 250 TL or about $35 for all ages. You must arrive at the airport at least 7 hours prior to your flight with a valid ticket and a valid passport, as test results take up to 6 hours.
Passengers in transit, with less than six months validity left on their passports will not be allowed to depart the airport transit areas in order to obtain a COVID test. Passengers who are unable to exit the transit area and require a COVID-19 test can request it at the transit area information desk.
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
Dial 184 within Turkey to access the Turkish Ministry of Health COVID-19 Telephone Hotline (Turkish/English/Arabic).
Source:
US Embassy in Turkey https://tr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/
Published on April 14th 2021 (checked on April 14th 2021)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx