Turkey: Government to further ease domestic COVID-19-related measures from June 1 /update 42

Event

The Turkish government has issued orders further easing domestic COVID-19 measures effective June 1. Under the new directives, the nation's existing weekday curfew will be shortened by one hour to run 22:00-05:00; the weekend curfew, on the other hand, will run from 22:00 each Saturday to 05:00 the following Monday. Residents must remain in their homes during curfew hours except to perform essential tasks or seek medical care. While foreign tourists who are in Turkey on short stays are not subject to the curfew, all other foreigners in the country must comply with the directive. Intercity travel by air, bus, and rail is permitted outside curfew hours; however, special permission is required for travel by private vehicles. The curfew will remain in effect until at least June 30.

The new directives also permit eating and drinking establishments such as restaurants, cafeterias, and pastry shops to resume offering table service between the hours of 07:00-21:00 on weekdays, although carryout and delivery services may remain open until 23:59; during weekend curfew hours such establishments are restricted to delivery services only. Certain other types of businesses, including cafes, tea houses, gyms, and amusement parks will also be allowed to resume operating on weekdays between 07:00-21:00, although they must remain closed on Sundays. Moreover, universities will reopen for the 2021-2022 academic year on Sept. 13.

Food markets, including greengrocers, butcher shops, bakeries, and confectioners shops, as well as supermarkets, may still operate on reduced hours. Persons employed in the public sector will be required to work from home to the extent possible until further notice.

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 largely unchanged. Travelers arriving from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Israel, Japan, UK, Latvia, Luxembourg, Ukraine, and Estonia may enter the country without restrictions; these travelers are no longer required to present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival.

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. Except where stipulated otherwise, 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 do not need to provide a negative test result. Any traveler required to submit a negative test result at the point of departure but who is unable to do so will not be allowed to board; non-exempt 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 Brazil or South Africa 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.