Last updated on 7 July 2021
Travelling to Turkey may be a far fetch dream for now as the world is on temporary travel lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Your travel plans may have taken a back seat but you might be wondering, "Can I travel to Turkey now?". If you're planning to travel to Turkey for your future getaways, here's everything you need to know about the COVID-19 situation in Turkey.
What is the COVID-19 situation in Turkey now?
As of July 2021, Turkey is easing their restrictions and allowing businesses and events to resume as well as shopping malls, theme parks, Turkish baths, tea garden, and coffee houses to reopen. The country has also lifted their nationwide curfews and intercity travel ban. However, citizens are still required to wear a face mask to protect themselves from COVID-19 outbreak.
Can I travel to Turkey now?
As of July 2021, Turkey is not open for tourism and non-essential travel but you may enter Turkey for emergency or official purposes. It may be a while before we can travel safely to Switzerland again, but as long as we band together against the COVID-19 pandemic, better days will be here before you know it.
Which countries are allowed to travel to Turkey?
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, countries that are allowed to enter Turkey are Germany, Belgium, France, Georgia, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, Portugal, Ukraine, and Greece.
As of 1 July 2021, the Government of Turkey is suspending all flights from Bangladesh, Brazil, South Africa, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
What are the travel and quarantine requirements in Turkey?
Before travelling to Turkey, here are some travel and quarantine requirements you need to know.
- Fill out a Travel Entry Form
- Provide a negative COVID-19 test result within 3 days before arriving in Turkey
- Complete a 14-day quarantine in an accommodation assigned by the government
- Passengers arriving in Turkey must complete an information form and go through health screening procedures
For passengers who have been to Bangladesh, Brazil, South Africa, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka in the last 14 days before arriving in Turkey, they must submit a negative COVID-19 test result and undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
For passengers who have been to Afghanistan and Pakistan in the last 14 days before landing in Turkey, they must undergo a mandatory quarantine for 10 days.
For passengers departing from the United Kingdom, Iran, Egypt and Singapore, they must submit a negative COVID-19 test result.
What is the latest update on COVID-19 vaccination in Turkey?
According to Financial Times, Turkey is now offering a third dose of COVID-19 vaccines to citizens who have been inoculated with Pfizer or Sinovac vaccines. However, the country will prioritise front liners and senior citizens before administering the vaccine to adults above 18 years old. In May 2021, Turkey had only administered Sinovac vaccines before it was affected by shipment delays. Turkey has successfully increased their vaccination rate in July 2021 after receiving 1.4 million doses of Pfizer vaccine from BioNTech.
It may be a while before we can travel safely to Turkey again, but as long as we band together against the COVID-19 pandemic, better days will be here before you know it.