Turkey: Government tightens domestic COVID-19-related restrictions as of March 29 /update 35

Event

Authorities in Turkey have tightened domestic COVID-19 restrictions as of March 29 due to rising infection rates. While the nationwide weekday 21:00-05:00 curfew remains in place, the partial weekend curfew that has also been in force in provinces designated as "red" (very high risk) zones has been extended to cover the entire weekend starting at 21:00 each Friday through 05:00 the following Monday. Residents must remain in their homes during curfew hours, except to perform essential work or seek urgent medical care. While most nonessential stores and businesses must close during curfew hours, grocery stores and food delivery services are exempt; restaurants may perform deliveries. Most provinces, including Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Izmir, Bursa, Gaziantep, and Konya, are classified at the very high-risk category as of March 29.

Turkey continues to use a four-tier color-coded system for classifying individual provinces and municipalities based on local COVID-19 transmission risk and imposing restrictions accordingly. The individual tiers are "blue" (low), "yellow" (medium), "orange" (high), and "red" (very high).

In addition to the curfews that are in force, protective facemasks and social distancing are mandatory in public places. Strict social distancing guidelines, including capacity limits, have also been imposed on public transport. Restaurants and cafes nationwide are currently able to operate at 50 percent capacity regardless of the color zone in which they are located; however, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan (April 13-May 14), all such establishments will be restricted to operating on a carryout or delivery basis only. Weddings and funerals are capped at 100 people in low and medium risk areas, and 50 in high and very high-risk areas.

People suspected of contracting COVID-19, or who come into contact with an individual infected with COVID-19, must self-isolate for 10 days; those who test negative for COVID-19 after five days may end self-isolation early. Turkish nationals and residents are required to obtain a government-provided Hayat Eve Sigar (HES) code before international or intercity travel on public transport. Numerous regions, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Agri Province, require residents to present an HES code upon entering public institutions, government offices, or banks.

International Entry Restrictions
Authorities are also maintaining international entry restrictions as of March 29. All incoming passengers, other than those in transit, must register via an online form within 72 hours before travel and will undergo checks for possible COVID-19 symptoms on arrival. Travelers must also produce a negative result from a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result taken no more than 72 hours prior to their flight's or ferry's scheduled departure; transit passengers, other than those whose journey originated in Denmark, South Africa, or the UK, do not need to provide a negative test result. Any traveler unable to submit a negative test result at the point of departure will not be allowed to board; those arrivals without proof of negative testing will be required to quarantine either at their reported address in Turkey or at a government-designated facility.

Additionally, all flights to/from the UK, Denmark, Brazil, and South Africa remain indefinitely suspended in response to discoveries of variant strains of COVID-19 in these countries. All travelers who have visited the UK, Denmark, Brazil, or South Africa within the 10 days prior to their arrival in Turkey will be quarantined for 14 days in a government-selected facility. Travelers are required to undergo a second COVID-19 test - in addition to the test taken prior to departure - after 10 days and may leave quarantine following a negative result. Humanitarian, cargo, repatriation, and emergency medical flights are exempt from the suspension; other flights may be exempted at the discretion of the Ministry of Health.

Generally, Turkey's air, land, and sea borders are open for most travelers but could be subject to closure at short notice. However, nonessential travel with Iran and Iraq remains suspended.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further tighten, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks, particularly in response to developments regarding variant strains of COVID-19.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.