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02 Dec 2020 | 03:11 AM UTC

Turkey: Authorities tighten COVID-19 restrictions from December 1 /update 35

Authorities tighten several COVID-19 restrictions from December 1; follow government directives

Warning

Event

Turkish authorities announced that several coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions have been tightened as of Tuesday December 1, due to a rise in the number of cases in the country. Under the tightening of restrictions, a new nationwide curfew has been implemented, on weekdays individuals will not be permitted to leave their residence between 21:00 - 05:00 (local time). During weekends, individuals will not be permitted to leave their residences between 21:00 on Fridays through 05:00 on Mondays. It is currently unclear how long these curfews will be in effect.

Turkey's land, air, and seas borders have largely reopened, although nonessential travel to Iran and Iraq remains prohibited. All travelers are required to undergo a health screening on arrival and those displaying COVID-19 symptoms must undergo a COVID-19 test and quarantine for 14 days.

As of December 1, there have been 668,957 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Algeria and 13,936 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:


  • Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.

  • When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.

  • If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.