Turkey: Authorities ease COVID-19-related domestic measures as of Jan. 17 /update 50

Turkey eases COVID-19-related domestic measures as of Jan. 17; international entry restrictions remain in place.

Event

Authorities in Turkey have eased the country's domestic COVID-19 countermeasures as of Jan. 17. Unvaccinated individuals are no longer required to present negative PCR test results to access public events such as concerts, plays, or movies. The PCR test requirement remains in place for domestic flights, despite earlier media reports to the contrary.

Domestic Measures
A number of other domestic measures remain in place. Most businesses are operating subject to social distancing and hygiene requirements. Facemasks and social distancing are mandated in public spaces. Turkish nationals and residents must obtain a government-provided Hayat Eve Sigar (HES) code before international or intercity travel on public transport, including domestic flights. Numerous locations, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Agri Province, require residents to present a HES code upon entering hotels, public institutions, government offices, or banks.

International Travel Restrictions
Travelers arriving from South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan or travelers who have been in one of these countries in the previous 14 days and plan to enter Turkey from another country must present a negative PCR test taken in the 72 hours before arrival and self-isolate for up to seven days; travelers can end quarantine early following receipt of a negative result from a PCR test taken on or after day five. Fully vaccinated travelers are exempt from the requirement to self-isolate.

Nonresident foreign nationals who have visited Afghanistan in the previous 14 days must present a negative test result and quarantine at a hotel at their own expense for 10 days; travelers may be eligible to end the quarantine period early following a negative result from a second PCR test taken on or after day seven. Citizens and residents of Turkey may self-isolate at their residences; however, they are not permitted to use public transport or board domestic flights. Fully vaccinated travelers and travelers who have recently recovered from COVID-19 are exempt from self-isolation.

Travelers from all other countries must present proof of vaccination against COVID-19 completed no less than 14 days prior to arrival or proof that they have recovered from COVID-19 in the previous six months. Travelers unable to meet these requirements must present a negative result from a PCR test taken in the previous 72 hours or a negative result from an antigen test taken in the previous 48 hours on arrival.

Other than those in transit, all incoming passengers must register via an online form within 72 hours before travel and may be selected to undergo checks for possible COVID-19 symptoms on arrival.

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.