Turkey set to welcome British tourists without proof of Covid vaccine

Tourism minister Mehmet Ersoy said the country is ‘looking forward to welcoming British tourists with open arms’
The decision comes at a time where more than 23 million people in the UK have received at least one dose of a vaccine.
PA Wire

Turkey is set to welcome British tourists into the country without requiring proof of a coronavirus vaccine.

Tourism minister Mehmet Ersoy said the country would also be unlikely to require a negative Covid test from UK travellers.

Unlike Greece and Cyprus, who want holidaymakers to be vaccinated against the virus, Mr Ersoy said Turkey would not require a vaccine passport from international travellers and that the country is “looking forward to welcoming British tourists with open arms”.

It comes at a time where more than 23 million people in the UK have received at least one dose of a vaccine.

He said: “We have world-class border processes in place for ensuring travel will be low-risk throughout Turkey.

“We are working with the British authorities to ensure these necessary processes are world class and as up to date as possible.

“We will not require vaccination passports from international travellers when entering the country.”

After April 15, Turkey will also re-evaluate whether visitors must continue to produce evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their departure.

Mr Ersoy said: “I expect there will be no such requirement from British visitors as the UK Government is rapidly and impressively rolling out the vaccination programme for the whole nation, and a significant portion of the population will be vaccinated by early summer.”

It means that the country will be open to Britons as soon as the Government lifts its ban on non-essential travel.

Leisure travel is currently banned for people living in the UK, but the rule could be relaxed for those in England from May 17.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer receives his first dose of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine from a midwife.
PA Wire

The Government’s Global Travel Taskforce will provide a report to the Prime Minister on April 12 setting out recommendations for how and when foreign holidays could resume.

But the move will still depend on how the UK handles those returning holidaymakers amid reports that there are differentiating views within Government.

Mr Ersoy added that employees at hotels and other tourist facilities in Turkey will be prioritised for Covid-19 jabs before the summer season.

The country will also offer a special insurance package, from £12, which covers Covid-19 related expenses such as treatment, medication and emergency care costs if they contract Covid-19.

Hotels and other accommodation with more than 30 rooms will also be required to meet compulsory standards to ensure they are Covid secure.

Mr Ersoy said: “We are confident that the successful vaccination programmes ongoing in both the UK and Turkey will ensure this season is even safer than last year. More than 10 million vaccinations have been given in Turkey so far.”

British nationals made more than 2.5 million visits to Turkey in 2019, according to Government figures.

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