What Precautions Do You Need to Take for A Safe Travel in Turkey Amid COVID-19?

As Turkey is among the most popular touristic destinations, the search for “safe travel in Turkey” appears as a very common phrase for internet users. So, today we are going to try clarifying the best precautions to take while traveling in Turkey.

Traveling in a pandemic condition is tough and anxiety-inducing as there are so many factors to account for. If you have set your sights on Turkey, here’s what you should watch out for when choosing a place to stay. Indeed, what you will need while on the move.

Steps for a Safe Travel in Turkey

In the current climate, it is very important to travel in compliance with hygiene and social distancing rules. The measures we take in airports and buses as well as hotels, all places where it is impossible to avoid crowds could prove crucial in whether or not we catch the coronavirus. A recent study showed how a single COVID-19-positive person infected 23 others on a poorly ventilated Chinese bus. Therefore, traveling could be more of a headache than an opportunity to destress.

However, you may still be decisive about having a break from a terrible year. Moreover, you can try to squeeze in one last holiday before the temperatures cool down. The fall, by the way, has arrived untimely. Hence, there are things you need to pay extra attention to safe travel in Turkey. How can we protect ourselves from the coronavirus while traveling? And what should you look for and ask for in establishments in this regard? Here’s an overview:

3 letters, 10 digits: HES

The first thing you should know while traveling inside Turkey, whether by car, bus, train, or plane, is that you need a HES code. The name comes from the abbreviation of the Ministry of Health’s Hayat Eve Sığar (Life Fits into Home) app. The 10-digit code enables you to travel between provinces across Turkey. The code ensures that you are not coronavirus positive, do not carry a risk of infection nor have you had recent contact with a positive case.

How to Get a HES Code Easily?

Airlines and travel companies usually require you to enter the code before payment as a prerequisite to complete your booking. If you do not want to download the app, you can always go the SMS route by texting the word HES. It is followed by your nationality, passport number, birth year, and surname (with a single space between all information). Then, you send the message to 2023. Turkish citizens can also visit the e-government platform. The app, in the meantime, also shows risky areas within your proximity. Furthermore, it can also alert you if you have had contact with a recently diagnosed patient. Thus, it would be quite useful for you to download the application.

Some Rules to Follow for a Safe Travel in Turkey

Short in a long story, coronavirus is not away yet. So, every one of us has to be careful and take each and every precaution. However, above all personal measures, there are, of course, also many safety measures which authorities must take. One way or another, as individuals, we all have to be very careful and for ourselves and our beloved ones. Here are some steps we must conform to:

• Wear a face mask at all times.
• Adhere to the rules of airports and airlines.
• Follow closely the regulations set by the General Directorate of the Turkish State Railways (TCDD).
• Disinfect and wipe down the area where you will be sitting.
• Make sure to keep your hands clean during your journey by washing or disinfecting them regularly.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Change your mask about every four hours or when it gets wet.
• Choose well-ventilated seats, preferably next to a window.
• Stay away from public toilets as much as possible.