The borders are still tight. However, Turkey hopes that this will change soon and that the German government will also lift its worldwide travel warning for Turkey before the summer holidays. For the time being it is valid until June 14th.
The Turkish authorities have also banned entry. Several countries that are severely affected by the corona virus, including Germany, are affected. Officially, there is not yet a specific date from which tourists can enter again. However, Turkey is preparing to receive foreign tourists from mid-June.
That should please many travelers from Germany: After Spain and Italy, Turkey is the third favorite travel destination of the Germans. But what could a vacation look like?
Flights to Turkey from June – Corona tests on entry
Nothing stands in the way of an arrival by plane. The semi-governmental airline Turkish Airlines recently extended its flight stop for international flights until June 1, but from June one would like to resume mutual air traffic with Germany. German tourists should only travel to Turkey on charter flights.
After opening for international flights, corona tests are to be carried out at the border crossings, for example at Antalya Airport. Vacationers do not have to wait for the result, but are only contacted if the result in their hotel is positive.
TÜV is involved: Strict hygieneregulations in Turkish hotels
Hotels and restaurants are subject to strict corona requirements. Turkey has developed a certification process with 132 criteria. Thomas Bareiß, tourism representative of the federal government, has made sure that the TÜV is also involved. This creates trust in Germany, Bareiß assured the Turkish Minister of Tourism.
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 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.
By the way, one Entry exception there is already: People from certain countries who want to undergo medical treatment in Turkey can also enter from abroad. This also applies to German citizens.
Mask requirement in supermarkets and public transport
In Turkey there is one in marketplaces, supermarkets and in public transport Mask requirement; in some cities and areas even everywhere in public space. Social distance (three steps away) is demanded, violations will be punished.
Overall, the Turkish government continues to loosen its restrictions. So hairdressers and shopping centers are allowed to open again. The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul opens again on June 1st.
For the long weekend 23-26 May there is a general curfew for all 81 provinces in Turkey. Travel restrictions also apply in 23 provinces. Entry and exit is only permitted with the approval of the respective governor. The following provinces are affected: Ankara, Balıkesir, Bursa, Denizli, Diyarbakır, Eskişehir, Gaziantep, İstanbul, İzmir, Kahramanmaraş, Kayseri, Kocaeli, Konya, Manisa, Mardin, Ordu, Sakarya, Samsun, Şanzonakığa, Tonguldakığ, Tonguldak, Tonguldak .
Return to Germany: Observe the rules for quarantine
According to the federal government, one currently applies to travelers from third countries to Germany two-week domestic quarantine. Turkey holidaymakers should familiarize themselves with the current regulations on re-entry into Germany before starting their trip.
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.
Current Corona situation in Turkey: Falling numbers of cases
Ankara has registered around 156,000 infections with the coronavirus and reported 4308 deaths (as of May 24). The official number of cases is currently declining. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca sees the pandemic in Turkey under control.
Cancel summer vacation: Free cancellation is only possible to a limited extent
It is crucial for the cancellation of the planned summer vacation that the circumstances of "force majeure" exist at the time of travel. For trips abroad, the worldwide travel warning issued until June 14 is considered "force majeure". If the trip is planned at a later date, you cannot rely on a free cancellation. The mere 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.