Turkey as a corona risk area: what happens if you travel there anyway

  • 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

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?

According to John Hopkins University, Turkey currently has 28,000 active corona cases. Between 1200 and 1600 new cases have been reported in the last seven days. This is not enough to be classified as a risk area in a first step. According to the RKI, this happens when "more than 50 newly infected people per 100,000 inhabitants have been counted in the last seven days".

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 nationals since June 11, 2020 and is now pushing for it to be lifted by the federal government – which, however, is currently unlikely. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavusoglu was disappointed: "The scientific reasons behind the decision are difficult for us to understand," he told Spiegel. Everything is prepared for a safe vacation in Turkey.

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 campaign for travelers, like at the beginning of the pandemic, already 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; insurers may no longer insert such clauses afterwards.

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.

Also read: 70 minutes Mallorca and back again: "Test vacation" is a disaster for a German couple

General information about vacation in Turkey:

Turkey wants to score with strict hygiene regulations – TÜV is also involved

The government has developed a “Safe Tourism Program” in which restaurateurs and hotels voluntarily participate, thereby promoting the trust of vacationers. German companies such as TÜV Süd are now hiring inspectors who will regularly check the companies. The measures include, for example, equipping hotels with protective clothing and developing hygiene regulations and distance rules. The staff should receive pandemic training.

Food and drinks are to be served by the employees, buffets are to 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-governmental 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 a reservation. 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 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 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 vacation 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.

Also read:

Especially in the Corona year 2020, the interest in vacation at the campsite will increase. Reason enough for a small evaluation: We show the ten most popular campsites from the Alps to the North Sea.

The first heat wave in Germany is imminent. FOCUS Online presents the most beautiful lakes for cooling off in the whole country – from the Alps to the North Sea.