Domestic travel restrictions to take effect in Turkey
New domestic travel restrictions in Turkey requiring a negative COVID-19 test result, proof of vaccination or proof of recent recovery from COVID-19 for flights will go into effect today.
Turkey ranked sixth in the world in terms of international tourist arrivals in 2019, but during the pandemic it has been placed on many countries’ red lists, severely impacting Turkey’s tourism sector. While Turkey’s new restrictions likely will help rebuild international confidence in the country’s pandemic response, they will not be sufficient to stop foreign countries from imposing no-travel advisories—like the August US travel advisory.
More broadly, Turkey’s restrictions are indicative of a global trend in which a return to domestic daily life increasingly requires proof of vaccination or other COVID documentation. Starting in August, New York City residents will be required to provide proof of vaccination to enter restaurants, gyms and other locations. Domestic requirements like Turkey’s will likely become more commonplace as efforts to return to daily life clash with rising case numbers in countries, regardless of high vaccination rates. However, this trend coincides with the rise of counterfeit COVID-19 documentation to avoid such requirements, creating a problematic situation for countries planning on reaching 70% vaccination rates.
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