Turkey: Government exempts foreign tourists from nationwide COVID-19 lockdown April 29-May 17 /update 39

Event

According to Turkey's Ministry of the Interior, foreign tourists will be exempt from the two-and-a-half-week nationwide COVID-19-related lockdown that will be in place from 19:00 April 29 through 05:00 May 17. The measure includes a continuous curfew during which residents must remain in their homes except to perform essential tasks or seek medical care. While foreign tourists who are in Turkey on short stays will not be subject to the curfew, all other foreigners in the country must comply with the directive.

During the lockdown, all nonessential businesses will be required to close; catering establishments may operate only for carryout and delivery services. Food markets, including greengrocers, butcher shops, bakeries, and confectioners shops, as well as supermarkets, may operate only between the hours of 10:00-17:00 daily; supermarkets must remain closed on Sundays. Residents may patronize such businesses any time during their hours of operation; however, they must restrict their shopping to those markets located nearest to their homes and may not drive their vehicles when doing so.

Persons employed in the public sector will be required to work from home to the extent possible. All schools and kindergartens will be closed during the lockdown period. All events such as weddings and personal celebrations remain suspended, as well. Moreover, public transport will operate at 50 percent capacity, while special permits will be required for intercity travel; foreign tourists will not require such permits. Authorities will only issue permits for intercity travel for a limited number of compelling situations.

Persons 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. Protective facemasks and social distancing are mandatory in public places nationwide.

International Entry Restrictions
International entry restrictions remain in force as of April 27. All incoming passengers, other than those in transit, must register via an online form within 72 hours before travel and 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 taken no more than 72 hours prior to their flight's or ferry's scheduled departure; transit passengers, including those whose journeys originated in Brazil, 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, direct flights with Brazil and South Africa remain indefinitely suspended in response to discoveries of variant strains of COVID-19 in these countries; however, transit flights originating in these countries are permitted. 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. All travelers who have visited Brazil, South Africa, or India within 10 days prior to their arrival in Turkey will be required to quarantine for 14 days in a government-selected facility. Moreover, 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.

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.