Apparently, the number of corona cases in Turkey is much higher than previously assumed.
Due to the increasing number of cases, the Federal Foreign Office is now adjusting its travel warning.
The
Turkey
is one of the most popular holiday destinations of the Germans.
But now it is clear: the situation in Turkey is much more
critical
than previously assumed.
The Foreign Office is now issuing a travel warning for the whole country.
Vacation despite Corona: Government resolves travel warning for all of Turkey
Update from October 28, 2020
: The Federal Foreign Office is now reacting to the increasing number of corona cases in Turkey and imposing a travel warning for the entire country - it should be
valid
from November 9
.
This means that the exception regulations for the
popular holiday regions of Antalya, Aydin, Izmir and Muğla
are
no
longer applicable.
From the point of view of the Robert Koch Institute, Turkey has had the status of a risk area since June 15.
From November 9th, those returning to Germany must in any case take a 10-day quarantine, which can only be shortened by a negative corona test after five days.
Turkey wants to disclose all corona cases soon - probably withholding 350,000 infections
Update from October 21, 2020
: After more and more doubts about Turkey's official corona statistics, the World Health Organization recently asked the government to provide the correct numbers.
The Turkish Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca had previously admitted that from July 27, the number of infections was no longer published, but only those of those who actually developed symptoms and had to be treated.
As a result, around
350,000 infections have been concealed
in the past few months
, as Der Spiegel writes, citing estimates by the Turkish Medical Association.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca therefore wants to make the correct number of corona cases public this week.
According to Spiegel, he justified his approach with the protection of “national interests”, which is just as important as health protection for the population.
The British government has meanwhile responded and introduced a 14-day quarantine for all travelers from Turkey.
The Foreign Office in Germany is currently sounding out the situation, but is
taking the reports "very seriously,"
as Spiegel writes.
Four Turkish holiday regions are currently excluded from the travel warnings.
Turkey cheats Corona numbers nicely: What does that mean for vacationers?
Update from October 8, 2020
: Turkey continues to be largely one of the risk areas.
However, the federal government lifted the travel warning some time ago for popular tourist
regions
such as
Aydin, Izmir, Mugla and Antalya
, as the areas had few new infections and a special hygiene concept.
Now it comes out: Since July 29th, Turkey no longer counts the number of those who tested positive, but only the number of those who actually show symptoms.
According to "Südwest Presse", this transforms the officially 1,400 infected people into a whopping
10,000 cases a day
- a huge difference.
This emerges from an interview in the newspaper “Habertürk” with the Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca, who spoke of around 100,000 PCR tests per day, of which around 10 percent would be positive.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has now also responded and is calling on Turkey to report the number of corona infections in accordance with WHO guidelines in order to bring the data collection into line.
Harmonizing data reporting on COVID-19 across the European Region https://t.co/uuyGuP3XFZ pic.twitter.com/i5iVF3ii4j
- World Health Organization Turkey (@WHOTurkey) October 2, 2020
So far, the Federal Foreign Office has not yet adjusted its travel warning for Turkey.
This means that the holiday regions of Aydin, Izmir, Mugla and Antalya are still excluded.
Nevertheless, the office advises against
unnecessary, tourist trips
.
However, anyone who returns to Germany from a risk area within Turkey must be able to present a negative corona test or go directly to a 14-day quarantine.
The test result must not be older than 48 hours.
Turkey itself also requires
a negative corona test
when
leaving Turkey for Germany
.
This is part of the government's special health concept.
This test, too, must not be older than 48 hours and costs the equivalent of 15 euros at a certified laboratory or 30 euros at the airport.
Anyone who tests positive in Turkey must go to quarantine or medical treatment on site.
Turkey introduces mandatory outdoor masking nationwide - with one exception
Update from September 9th, 2020
: The holiday joy of Turkey travelers is now getting a damper: The Turkish government announced the
nationwide mask requirement
on September
8th
.
It applies to all 81 provinces, affecting nearly all public areas such as multiple media, citing the Turkish news agency "Andolu" report. These include roads, parks, public gardens, picnic areas, factories and the workplace. There are also
expressly beaches
of This regulation is affected, as the agency writes. However, the comparison portal Check24 declares that at least
hotel
beaches are
not included
, which means that the mask requirement currently "only" applies on public beaches.
The Robert Koch Institute currently classifies Turkey as a risk area.
Only the provinces of Aydin, Izmir and Muğla, which are popular with tourists, are excluded from the travel warning
and Antalya.
Turkey vacation: These are the insider tips in the open vacation regions
Original message from August 14, 2020
: Turkey lovers don't have to wait any longer: The travel warning for the four provinces of Aydin, Izmir and Muğla in the Aegean region and for Antalya in the Mediterranean region has been lifted.
Turkey bookings have increased again since the travel warning was lifted
The travel booking portal weg.de has recorded a high volume of search queries in Turkey for many weeks despite the travel warning.
Turkey has been the
most booked destination
since the travel warning was lifted
.
"Since the German government announced the end of the travel warning (August 4th, 2020), we have seen an enormous increase in Turkey bookings - they have even tripled compared to the previous week.
Our customers have been waiting for the announcement and now Turkey is one of the most booked destinations again.
On the first two days, Turkey was even number one among the travel destinations booked, ”explains Gabriela Mendoza, Country Director Germany.
For this reason, we would like to introduce you to the
most beautiful insider tips for Turkey
, to which vacationers can travel without hesitation.
Vacation despite Corona: the Turkish Provence
The purple lavender fields run almost endlessly through
the landscape of Kuyucak
.
Around two hours' drive from the seaside resort of Antalya in the Aydin province, Kuyucak impresses holidaymakers with a
play of colors that is well worth seeing
.
Depending on the incidence of the sun, the lavender fields change from a rich purple to a delicate pink.
A visit at harvest time in July is particularly worthwhile, when the scent of lavender sweeps through the entire region.
+
Kuyucak, Turkey
© Shutterstock
Surf vacation in Turkey at Kleopatra Beach
To the west of Alanya is the three kilometer long and 60 meter wide
Kleopatra Beach
, which was awarded the Blue Flag for its excellent water quality.
Families with children can also enjoy the gently sloping bank and
the extensive range of water sports
.
Holidaymakers can get a small snack or a cold ice cream in one of the numerous beach bars.
+
Cleopatra Beach, Turkey
© pixabay
Also interesting
: Not Sylt, not Tegernsee: this German holiday destination is more popular than ever.
Turkey vacation despite Corona: City trip in Gazipasa
While Alanya attracts a large number of tourists,
Gazipasa, 40 kilometers away, is
rather unknown.
Here vacationers enjoy the great location between the foothills of the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea.
There are numerous natural and
deserted beaches in the region
.
From the coastline, visitors can take a walk on the beach to the harbor promenade.
Opposite the port are the ruins of the ancient city of Selinus, where parts of the city wall, aqueduct and theater are still preserved.
Check out this post on Instagram
A post shared by This is ALANYA (@ thisis.alanya) on Aug 13, 2020 at 11:53 am PDT
Butterfly Bay near Fethiye - a must on vacation in Turkey
In the south of the country lies the
Kelebek Vadisi butterfly bay near Fethiye
.
Visitors can enjoy a unique panorama thanks to the up to 350 meter high cliffs around the beach.
Nature lovers can explore up to 80 species of butterflies in this idyllic location.
Those who take a walk in the center of the valley will enjoy a
50 meter high waterfall
and a romantic ambience.
+
Butterfly Bay, Turkey
© Shutterstock
Vacation in Turkey: Mediterranean romance in Foca
The residents of Izmir are drawn to the quiet Aegean coast at weekends, but not to well-known places like Marmaris or Kuşadası.
Because if you want rest and relaxation, you go to
Foca
.
In the fishing village, vacationers relax on the sandy beaches or take a
stroll along the harbor promenade
.
Since the navy was stationed in the adjacent bay for many years, the expansion of the city was prevented and with it mass tourism.
+
Foca, Turkey
© Shutterstock
Find out here
: The holiday resorts in Spain, Italy, Croatia and Greece are really that full.
Turkey vacation: surfing at Bitez Beach
Bitez Beach,
west of Bodrum,
is an insider tip for surfers
.
If you want to perfect your surfing skills or just want to rent equipment, you will find the right contact person in the water sports schools.
The areas for swimmers and athletes are clearly separated by a delimitation in the sea.
Thanks to a playground and the gently sloping bank, the beach is also ideal for families.
+
Bitez Beach, Turkey
© Shutterstock
Switching off on the Manavgat River in Turkey
Side is the epitome of Turkish tourism.
But the
Manavgat River
shows that the region also has a lot to offer in terms of landscape.
The river stretches around 93 kilometers from the eastern foothills of the Taurus Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea.
At the Oymapinar and Manavgat reservoirs, visitors can
rent excursion boats and canoes
to get to the opposite bank.
Due to the high flow speed, rafting is also very popular with holidaymakers.
Check out this post on Instagram
A post shared by MARC C. (@marcroro) on Nov 6, 2019 at 8:17 am PST
Vacation in Turkey despite Corona: rock tombs from Myra
In the town of Myra, which is now called Demre, holidaymakers can explore exceptionally well-preserved
Lycian rock tombs
from around 400 BC.
Carved directly into a mighty rock, the city offers a great sight from a distance.
The numerous buildings - decorated with sculptures and reliefs - in combination with the steep rock face create a special place.
Check out this post on Instagram
A post shared by Nedde Kübler (@neddek) on Sep 26, 2015 at 10:33 AM PDT
Coronavirus: These rules apply to holidays in Turkey
Generally there is still a travel warning for Turkey.
The provinces Aydin, Izmir and Muğla as well as Antalya are excluded from this, provided that the
comprehensive tourism and hygiene concept
decreed by the Turkish government is strictly adhered to
.
This includes, among other things, a mandatory PCR test for all travelers in Turkey within 48 hours before their return trip to Germany.
The travelers have to bear the costs of around 15 euros in a certified laboratory or 30 euros at the airport.
Those who have tested positive must go to quarantine or medical treatment in Turkey.
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
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: Holidays in 2020 despite Corona: Most Germans become infected in these countries.
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