Turkey relaxes corona measures and makes entry easier

After many other countries, Turkey is now also relaxing the corona measures and making it easier for holidaymakers to enter the country. What travelers should pay attention to and how the corona situation is on site.

As the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” reports, citing the Turkish tourist office GoTürkiye, vacationers who reach Turkey by land or sea no longer need a 3G card. Anyone arriving by plane, however, still needs the appropriate proof.

Which measures apply in general and what holidaymakers should consider – an overview.

The current corona situation in Turkey

The number of corona cases in Turkey has fallen significantly again in the past few weeks. The current seven-day median of new infections nationwide is 123.4. For comparison: In Germany, the current seven-day average is 1663.0 – with a similar population. Since the beginning of the pandemic, around 14.8 million people have been infected with the corona virus in Turkey, and 97,924 people have died in connection with it. 67.9 percent of the Turkish population have already been vaccinated once and 62.3 percent have been fully vaccinated.

What applies when entering Turkey?

Turkey no longer requires a digital entry declaration, regardless of whether you enter by sea, land or air.

Immigrants arriving by plane must present one of the following documents:
Result of a negative PCR test (not older than 72 hours),
Result of a negative antigen test (not older than 48 hours before arrival),
Official proof of full vaccination (completed at least 14 days before arrival) or
official documentation of a recovery from a COVID-19 infection (not older than six months).

What applies to travelers returning from Turkey?

According to the ADAC, travelers returning from Turkey no longer have to register digitally. Those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered no longer need a corona test before returning, while those who have not been vaccinated do (PCR test or rapid antigen test, max. 48 hours old).

What do holidaymakers in Turkey have to consider?

The corona measures in Turkey are comparatively relaxed. There are no nightly curfews, the gastronomy is open, weddings and similar celebrations are allowed again. However, access to some public events and facilities is only permitted with proof of vaccination, recovery or testing. In addition, vacationers must always expect that the restrictions will be imposed again depending on the infection rate.

According to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”, Turkey is also relaxing the mask requirement. Accordingly, it is completely abolished outdoors. Indoors, for example in restaurants and bars, a mask only has to be worn if ventilation is insufficient and a distance of 1.5 meters from other people cannot be maintained.

However, the mask requirement remains in place in local public transport and on airplanes.