COVID-19 update for Turkey: Details on normalising steps for June have been released

Turkiye
Available languages: TR

On June 1, the Ministry of Internal Affairs published the Circular on Normalisation Measurement for June ("Circular"), which sets out the details of Turkey's strategy in the fight against COVID-19 until the end of June 2021.

According to the Circular:

The curfew rules have been reduced

A general curfew in Turkey is now imposed on Sundays (from Saturday 22:00 until Monday 05:00) and on weekdays between 22:00 until 05:00 on the next day.

Except that the curfew rules have been lifted (see the curfew rules for special age groups below). The previously announced exceptions (as explained in this article) remain valid.

In order to avoid misunderstanding, exemptions for foreign people encompass only foreign travellers who are in Turkey for short trips and tourism. Foreigners who are in the country as residents under protected status or international status are subject to curfew restrictions.

Curfew rules for special age groups

Additional curfew rules have been lifted for persons aged 65 years and above (except those who are not fully vaccinated) and 18 years and below. The general restrictions mentioned above also apply to these individuals.

Persons aged 65 years and above who have not been fully vaccinated must comply with the Sunday curfew and are only allowed to go out on other days between 10:00 and 14:00.

Persons aged 65 years and above and 18 years and below are not allowed to use public transportation except if they are students going to school.

Which services are available on Sundays?

  • Markets, fruit sellers, butchers, dried fruit sellers, and confectioners are open between 10:00 and 17:00;
  • Bakeries may remain open during the curfew; and
  • Residents are permitted go to the nearest of these shops on the condition that they do not use vehicles. (The restriction on vehicles does not apply to disabled people).

Markets are not allowed to sell non-essential products (e.g. clothing, haberdashery, glassware, hardware, toys, auto supplies, alcohol and garden ware) during the curfew.

Businesses

  • Eateries: Eateries such as restaurants, bakeries, cafeterias, and country houses are only allowed to operate between 07:00 and 24:00. These eateries are only allowed to offer delivery services on Sundays during the curfew and on the other days after 21:00. Between 07:00 and 21:00 (except Sundays), a-la-carte services will be allowed provided that (i) tables are kept two metres apart and chairs are kept 60 cm apart; and (ii) groups are limited to no more than two people indoors and three people out of doors. Online grocery and food delivery companies will be able to make deliveries between 7:00 and 24:00 on weekdays and weekends.
  • Movie theatres: Movie theatres are allowed to operate at 50% capacity (the one full seat, one empty seat rule will apply) between 07:00 and 21:00, except on Sundays.
  • Sport activities: Football pitches, gyms or outdoor swimming pools are allowed to operate between 07:00 and 21:00, except on Sundays.
  • Social places: Internet cafés, electronic arcades, billiard halls and coffee houses, rural gardens, etc., provided that card or board playing will not be allowed and groups are restricted to no more than two people indoors and three people outdoors. These businesses are allowed to operate between 07:00 and 21:00, except on Sundays.
  • Amusement parks: Allowed to operate between 07:00 and 21:00, except Sundays.
  • Retail shops: Clothing, haberdashery, glassware and hardware shops will be open between 07:00 and 21:00, except on Sundays.
  • Malls and shopping centres: Shopping centres will be open between 07:00 and 21:00, except on Sundays.
  • Street markets: Street markets will be open between 07:00 and 20:00, except on Sundays.
  • Suspended businesses:

The activities of the following businesses will continue to be suspended: indoor swimming pools, Turkish baths, saunas, massage salons, water-pipe lounges, clubs, tavernas, and beer houses, etc.

Inter-provincial travel

Inter-provincial travel will be restricted during curfew periods (on Sundays).

Previously announced exceptions and rules (see this article) on inter-provincial travel restrictions remain valid.

Public working hours

Public institutions and organisations will continue to operate between 10:00 and 16:00.

Accommodation facilities

Having a reservation in an accommodation facility (provided that the full price has been paid) allows for an exemption to the curfew and the intercity travel restriction. During audits or checks, individuals in this situation should present their reservation and payment documents.

Entertainment centres in the indoor areas of accommodation facilities will be closed, while activities involving gatherings of people will not be allowed in open areas.

Public transportation

Intercity public transport (excluding aircraft) will be able to accept passengers at 50% of the passenger-carrying capacity specified in the vehicle licence, and the seating of the passengers in the vehicle will be organised to prevent passengers from having contact with each other. (The one full seat, one empty seat rule will apply). However, this rule is not applicable to immediate family members (i.e. mother, father and children) living together.

Urban public transportation (e.g. minibus, midibus, etc.) will be able to operate subject to the 50% capacity limitation and the rule of not accepting standing passengers.

General assemblies and meetings

All activities involving the gathering of people, including general meetings of non-governmental organisations, professional organisations with public-body status, trade groups, cooperatives, and similar organisations, except for the general assemblies of sports clubs, will be suspended until 15 June 2021.

General assemblies of sports clubs and other organisations will be held after 15 June but must be limited to one person per four square metres in outdoor areas and to one person per six square metres in indoor areas.

Weddings

Wedding ceremonies may be held without food service, provided that indoors the number of attendees do not exceed 100 persons and are limited to one person per six square metres.

As of June 15, the food-service restriction and the indoor-attendee limit will be lifted.

As of July 1, organisations such as engagement ceremonies and "henna nights" will be allowed.

For more information on these new restrictions, contact your regular CMS consultant or local CMS expert: Dr Döne Yalçın.