COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Turkey (14 November Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Residents and citizens are allowed to enter the country.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Foreigners are allowed to enter Turkey.

• Foreign nationals are not allowed to enter if arriving from Afghanistan or Bangladesh.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• All incoming passengers will undergo health screening for any symptoms of COVID-19, and only those with symptoms of COVID-19 will be tested.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Those with a positive COVID-19 test result will be treated at a government-designated medical facility or a private medical facility at their own expense.

Insurance required?

• No

• Insurance is not required.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• Travellers will need to complete a passenger locator form prior to arriving in Turkey. Details will be provided by their airline.

• A HES code is mandatory on all domestic flights for Turkish citizens and people whose Foreigner’s ID Number issued by the Turkish Republic starts with 97, 98, and 99. The HES code will be checked 24 hours before the flight. The Ministry of Health will notify any passengers who are not approved for air travel.

• At this time, a HES code is not mandatory for domestic flights with connecting international flights. If the time frame between the domestic flight and the connecting international flight is more than 24 hours, then a HES code is mandatory before the domestic flight.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• Most domestic and international flights are operating.

• A face mask is mandatory in airports and on flights.

Border restrictions

• Minimal

• Land, sea, and air borders are open for travellers from most countries. The government could close land borders temporarily with short notice, and passengers are asked to check access locally.

• Turkey has opened tourism for travellers from all countries who meet Turkish immigration rules.

• Turkey has resumed usual visa services and is issuing new travel visas online.

• Any traveller who wants to stay in Turkey for 90 days or more must apply for a longer stay visa or get a residential permit before travel from their origin.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• There is no curfew in Turkey at this time.

• Any citizen under the age of 18 is now allowed to go outside anytime with their parents. This is not applicable to foreign citizens.

• In Istanbul and Ankara, citizens over the age of 65 are allowed to go out everyday from 10:00-16:00. This is not applicable to foreign tourists.

• Local authorities can announce additional restrictions with short notice.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• People must maintain social distancing and wear a protective face mask when in public.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Face masks are mandatory on all public transportation (including metro, buses, and ferries). In some areas, masks are required when travelling in private vehicles with more than one person.

• Regular bus services have resumed in most areas with strict precautions.

• Standing passengers are not allowed in urban public transportation vehicles since physical distancing will not be possible.

• All public transport and taxis must have a fibreglass separator in vehicles between passengers and drivers.

• Turkey residents/citizens/foreigners must present a HES code for using intercity bus travel rest stops and for using inner-city public transport.

• For intercity travel, people without a residence card can obtain a HES code with their passport details by sending an SMS to 2023. The format is as follows: HES [space] Nationality [space] Passport No. [space] birth year [space] surname.

• Passengers below the age of 18 do not need a permit to travel within the same city or to undertake intercity travel. When travelling, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is under 65 years of age. Passengers above the age of 65 can travel within Turkey by obtaining a permit from the Ministry of the Interior.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Bakeries, markets, butcher shops, patisseries and groceries, hotels, gas stations, private and public hospitals, and pharmacies are open.

• Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is open.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Turkey residents/citizens must present an HES code for staying in hotels.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants can operate until 22:00 (local time). Live music is not allowed after midnight.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Live music at cafes after midnight is forbidden.

• Bars, nightclubs and hookah bars will remain closed.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Beaches are open.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums and heritage sites are open.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Barbers, hairdressers, and shopping centres can operate until 22:00 (local time).

Events allowed?

• Yes with exception

• People may attend open-air concerts.

• All indoor ceremonies are banned except weddings. Wedding halls can open until 22:00 (local time).

• The duration of a wedding ceremony is limited to one hour with strict COVID-19 restrictions. Citizens aged 65 and over and children under the age of 15 who are not first or second-degree relatives of the bride and groom will not be allowed to attend the weddings.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face masks are mandatory in crowded public places (specifically in markets and supermarkets). A fine will be imposed on people violating the requirement.

Other

• In Ankara, people 65 years of age or older and those suffering from chronic illness are not allowed to attend a wedding, condolences, funerals, and other ceremonies and may be required to limit time in market places. These restrictions are not applicable to foreign tourists.

• Some schools have resumed with both online and offline classes.

• Parks, daycare centres, camps, libraries, and most public sites are open.

• Smoking in public spaces is banned in all 81 provinces in Turkey.

Advies

The COVID-19 epidemic is changing constantly worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.