- Travelers to Turkey must expect 14-day quarantine when they return to Germany
- If you fly despite a travel warning, you cannot count on a state return campaign
- Free cancellation of already booked vacations is only possible to a limited extent
In addition to low infection rates, a prerequisite is that the Turkish health system can cope with virus outbreaks in such a way that vacationers come home safely. After the talks with the Turkish government, Bareiß is optimistic: "You can tell that a lot is certainly being done to ensure that protection is there on site." Bareiß also warned not to judge Turkey more strictly than other holiday countries. "We have to treat each country fairly and fairly," said the tourism official.
The German government initially extended the travel warning for Turkey and more than 160 countries outside the EU until August 31. In addition to this general travel warning, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has published a list of countries where there is an increased risk of infection. Turkey was also considered Corona risk area classified.
However, a trip is not prohibited. The answers to the most important questions:
Why is Turkey considered a risk area?
Turkey currently has 206,000 confirmed corona cases, according to John Hopkins University. But the official number of cases in Turkey is viewed with skepticism in the federal government. The assessment of risk areas is not just about the pure data situation – it is also about transparency. Although Turkey declares that the number of infections in tourist areas is low and intensive care beds are sufficient, it does not disclose a regional breakdown of the number of cases. That should not create trust in Berlin.
Turkey, on the other hand, has lifted the entry ban for German citizens since June 11, 2020 and is pressing for the federal government to lift it. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas only agreed to his colleague Mevlüt Cavusoglu to re-examine data on the infection situation and health care in Turkey. The aim is a coordinated approach in the EU. Cavusoglu accused the European Union of maintaining travel restrictions for Turkey for "political reasons". Turkey is a safe travel destination.
What are the consequences of traveling to a risk area?
A trip to a risk area is not prohibited, travelers are free to decide for themselves. However, the federal government has one more Return of travelersas at the beginning of the pandemic locked out. It is therefore not certain whether and how travelers can return to Germany if a second wave of infections breaks out.
In addition, holidaymakers have to move from a risk area into a two-week home quarantine. The individual provisions regulate the federal states. Turkey holidaymakers should familiarize themselves with the current regulations on re-entering Germany before starting their trip.
What applies to trips already booked?
The summer vacation to Turkey that has already been booked can be canceled free of charge. It is crucial that the circumstances of "force majeure" exist at the time of travel. For trips to third countries, the travel warning issued until August 31 is considered "force majeure". If the trip is planned at a later date, you cannot rely on a free cancellation.
By the way: The pure fear of getting sick is not enough to cancel a trip free of charge. However, if the tour operator cancels the trip on his own initiative, he must reimburse the travel price.
Does the health insurance / travel cancellation insurance pay for a corona infection?
Many insurance companies exclude the benefit if there is a travel warning as is currently the case. There are often exclusion clauses for pandemics. The WHO has classified Corona as a pandemic. That means: If the insurance contract contains this clause, the insurance does not pay if a vacationer falls ill with Corona. However, according to consumer protection, the clause must already be included, and insurers may no longer insert such clauses.
Many travel cancellation insurance policies also exclude pandemic benefits or the existence of a travel warning. Check with your health insurance or insurance company before you travel.
99 percent less than last year: tourism figures in of the Turkey in the May strong broken into
As a result of the corona pandemic, tourism numbers in Turkey have plummeted. Around 30,000 visitors came to the country in May, 99.26 percent less than in the same period last year, as the Ministry of Tourism announced on Monday. In the first five months of the year, the number of visitors decreased by 66.35 percent compared to the same period in the previous year.
Tourism is one of the most important economic sectors in Turkey. According to official information, more than five million Germans went on vacation in Turkey last year. Ankara has been promoting German tourists for whom the holiday resort of Antalya is particularly popular for some time.
General information about vacation in Turkey:
Turkey wants to score with strict hygiene regulations – TÜV is also involved
The government has developed a "program for safe tourism" in which restaurateurs and hotels voluntarily participate, thus promoting the trust of holidaymakers. German companies such as TÜV Süd are now hiring inspectors who will regularly check the companies. The measures include, for example, equipping the hotels with protective clothing as well as the development of hygiene regulations and distance rules. The staff should receive pandemic training.
Food and drinks should be served by the employees, buffets should be secured with plexiglass panes. Luggage is treated with disinfectants. Hotel guests must have one everywhere Distance of 1.5 meters can comply – at tables and queues, but also with their sun loungers on the beach. It should therefore only be on the beaches of the Mediterranean half as many sun beds give. Towels should be packed and handed over to pools.
Air traffic resumed – domestic Turkish journeys only possible with an approval code
Regular air traffic between Turkey and Germany has resumed. The semi-national airline Turkish Airlines also announced that it will now use so-called hygiene experts on its flights. These should ensure, for example, that no queues form in front of the toilets.
When entering Turkey, but also in hotels Thermal cameras used to determine whether people have a fever. A corona test is necessary for increased temperature measurement or other symptoms. If the test is positive, medical treatment is ordered, and quarantine measures are also possible. Travelers must cover their noses and mouths in the terminals.
As the Federal Foreign Office reports, an authorization code (“HES code”) is required for all domestic Turkish flights and train journeys when making reservations. This can be obtained via SMS or using an app. The respective airlines provide information on this.
You can find out all the latest news about the corona virus in the live ticker from FOCUS Online
Public life: curfew for people over 65 from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m.
For people over 65, there is a curfew from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. Travel restrictions between provinces have been lifted since June 1, 2020.
Mouth and nose must be covered in marketplaces, supermarkets and on public transport; in some cities and areas even everywhere in public space. "Three steps away"should be followed to other people.
Hairdressers and shopping centers as well as the great bazaar of istanbul are already open again.
Turkish Foreign Minister: "Vacation safe and carefree"
Turkey is dependent on tourists: in 2019, the country earned around 31.9 billion euros from tourism alone. Vacationers from Germany play a major role in this. But are the measures sufficient to guarantee a safe holiday in the corona pandemic? "This summer we are expecting our German friends to a safe and carefree vacation in Turkey", assures the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Cavusoglu on the website of the Ministry.