If Turkey is one of the favorite destinations of the French, it is because it brings together cultural, natural and historical attractions. What are the conditions for traveling to Turkey this winter and the health measures put in place to limit the spread of Covid-19?
[Mis à jour le 3 décembre 2021 à 16h51] Since June 1, 2021, it is again possible to travel to Turkey, under certain conditions. Great news, therefore, for travelers planning to spend their summer vacation in Turkey. It will nevertheless be necessary to respect a certain number of health measures, specially put in place to limit the spread of the virus between different countries. Travelers to Turkey will either need to be vaccinated or have a PCR test of less than 72 hours or an antigen test of less than 48 hours.
Travelers wishing to visit Turkey are required to complete a form from the Ministry of Health and forward it to local authorities within 72 hours of travel. The form is available online and can be presented to the airline upon boarding. At the same time, passengers to Turkey can be subjected to a PCR test directly at the airport. They are then entitled to continue their journey while awaiting the results. Finally, temperature checks can also be carried out randomly at the airport. The primary purpose of all these control measures is to dissuade people showing symptoms from traveling, and to limit the transmission of the virus on Turkish territory.
As long as they are able to provide a negative test or a vaccination certificate, European nationals are not required to carry out a quarantine on arrival. Only travelers coming from South Africa, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or having stayed in the last 14 days in these countries must respect a quarantine 14 days from their arrival, at a location chosen by the authorities. The end of the quarantine is conditional on a negative PCR test carried out on the last day. People identified as a contact case and people positive for Covid are also required to carry out a 14-day quarantine from their arrival on Turkish territory.
To reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19 on their territory, many countries have taken the decision to impose a quarantine on their own citizens, when they leave the national territory and then return there. In France, a quarantine is imposed on French citizens coming from high-risk areas. The latter must then isolate themselves for 10 days and undergo a PCR test. However, this is not the case for vaccinated travelers returning from Turkey, who will simply have to undergo a random PCR test. Unvaccinated people will have to self-isolate for a period of 7 days.
Numerous studies have shown that the contagiousness of the virus increases when the gatherings take place late at night, while barrier gestures and wearing a mask are less respected than during the day. This is the reason why many countries of the world have taken the decision to institute a curfew, that is to say at the more or less long time during which the population is invited to stay at home, except in case of compelling reason. On May 17, 2021, the lifting of confinement allowed Turkey to regain a semblance of normal life. However, the curfew is still in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and Sunday all day from 10 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. on Monday.
To limit the spread of the virus, Turkey has put in place restrictions on movement within its territory. During curfew hours, it is impossible to move from town to town without obtaining prior authorization to travel, as long as this trip is made by car. Hotel reservations and public transport tickets (bus, plane, train) do not require this authorization. Public transport, apart from planes, is also limited to 50% of its reception capacity.
Restaurants, cafes and bars are again open to customers from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and even until midnight for delivery services. Grocery stores can open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and malls from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Markets are again allowed to be held all week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., except Sunday. Sports halls, outdoor swimming pools, cinemas and amusement parks have reopened all week except Sunday, in compliance with certain health rules. On Sunday, the day of curfew, only essential local shops have the right to open their doors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Beaches are one of the best reasons to travel to Turkey. How, indeed, not to appreciate the expanses of white sand and turquoise sea of the beaches of Kaputaş, İztuzu or even Patar? These three examples perfectly illustrate all the beauty of the Turkish coast. And it would be a shame to do without … But what are the sanitary conditions and the rules to be observed to enjoy Turkish beaches in the summer of 2021? Good news for lovers of idleness, Turkish beaches remain open to the public. However, certain health conditions must be respected, such as social distancing of four meters between each group or wearing a mask when traveling (except for swimming). These restrictions could be removed based on the latest country figures.
All Turkish airports are open again to the delight of locals and travelers. For the summer of 2021, airlines that normally fly to Turkey are expected to continue their services. For example, it will be possible to take a Turkish Airlines, SunExpress, Borajet, Corendon Airlines or Pegasus Airlines plane. Air France has also announced that it has strengthened its flight schedule in order to cope with a number of probably significant requests. For domestic routes, the Turkish airline Turkish Airlines has recently resumed its usual air routes. By plane, it will be necessary to respect the health instructions throughout the journey, namely the wearing of the mask at all times as well as the necessary social distancing.