Update, 25th of April 2021
The flight ban imposed by Turkey has now been lifted and airlines have re-started routes between Turkey and the UK.
In that regard the information below is once again relevant.
The situation in Turkey is that the number of positive test have been steadily increasing and there are around 50.000 daily positive cases.
Also worth noting is that only around 300.000 tests are conducted on a daily basis.
This means that testing is only done when symptoms are present and there is no larger random test network implemented for testing at work places, educational institutions or similar.
The situation in Turkey is serious but not out of control.
The capacity at hospitals are not under too much pressure since the current variant of covid-19 in Turkey causes less severe cases than the previous variants.
Almost 10 percent of the Turkish population have been vaccinated and another 5 percent have received the first injection.
So it is safe to travel to Alanya or is it better to wait?
In our opinion the answer is the same as before.
Our best recommendation is to take a look at the information below and then make your decision based on your own individual situation.
The latest official figures can be accessed here (In English).
Kind regards
2Base Estate Agency, 25th of April 2021
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The story of covid-19 has now entered a new phase.
Where back in the spring time most countries implemented strick lock downs and the infection rates fell rapidly, most countries are now opening up again even though the infection rates are rising.
We started travel the world again and airlines are opening up more routes across the globe.
However, infection rates seem to be heading in the wrong direction.
It is, of course, a challenging situation and we can rightly ask and ourselves where we go from here...
Here at 2Base we get a lot of questions revolving around topics like "Can I and am I allowed travelling to Alanya".
This we will take a closer look to...
Can I travel to Turkey and Alanya?
Yes you can.
There are now a lot of airlines that fly to and from Turkey, and even at ticket prices that are very low.
Use a search engine such as Momondo or flightscanner or visit the websites of airlines such as Turkish Airlines or perhaps best of all Pegasus Airlines.
Is it safe to fly?
During the pandemic, we have been flying several times, both domestically in Turkey and to European airports.
All airlines regularly disinfect the aircraft and the air during the flight is cleaned with so-called HEPA filters.
Likewise, our experience is that the stay at the airport and the plane is safe, and social distancing rules are kept and face masks are used pretty much everywhere.
Is it safe to stay in Alanya?
In Alanya, the situation is significantly better than in the larger cities such as Ankara, Izmir and Istanbul.
Overall, the infection patterns in Turkey are very similar to the Europeans, where the infection is most widespread in densely populated areas.
Similarly, the infection here in Turkey has also increased among the younger part of the population, just as the infection often occurs at social events such as weddings and parties.
So what is the conclusion, is it safe to fly to Turkey and use your holiday home?
Yes and no. It all depends on yourself.
If you keep rules of social distancing, avoid places with many people and ensure high personal hygiene, then the chance of being infected in Turkey is probably no greater than where you are now.
But surely, if you invite all of your Turkish friends to a party, use public transportation to get around and cheek kisses your caretaker every time you see him, then the risk of getting infected is big.
In our experience the pitfalls in Alanya can be:
- Popular restaurants: We currently see that some restaurants are quite full. Likewise, several of Alanya's beer bars are open again. These places should be avoided.
- Do not use public transportation.
- Use private transfer from the airport.
- Keep in mind that alcohol often negatively impacts your judgment. If you need to drink more than one beer, do it in your holiday home.
- Try to shop when others do not and avoid stores with many customers.
- Avoid the local markets since they are often crowded.
- Politely turn down invitations to weddings, birthdays and other social events.
- Avoid visiting public offices or the bank unless it is absolutely necessary.
- Avoid paying with cash
- Sanitize your hands every time you have touched cash money, entered your card PIN or others have touched your payment card.
- Be even more careful than at home
Can I be tested for covid-19 in Alanya?
Yes you can.
The easiest thing for most will probably be one of the private test centers at the private hospitals.
The price to be tested is currently 250 TRL and the results are given next day.
We do not recommend using the test center at Antalya Airport, since the logistics around this test center is poor.
Close to our office Baskent Hospital has a test center which works fine.
What are the rules related to quarantine?
In Turkey, there are different rules on quarantine, but these do not apply to tourists.
Therefore, they are not relevant for those that travel to Alanya as a tourist.
However, the rules can change quickly, so it's a good idea to stay up to date.
This also applies to the rules that the National Board of Health in your home country has set out.
Finally you should also be aware of what rules your workplace has.
Does my insurance cover if I get infected?
This differs from insurance to insurance, but many insurances will not cover.
Here, however, it is possible to purchase a cheap insurance from a Turkish insurance company, so that a possible hospitalization in Turkey due to covid-19 will be covered.
Finally, for the sake of good order, please remember that we are neither health experts nor speak on behalf of the National Board of Health or other public authorities.
We are simply speaking from our own experience and personal knowledge.
We encourage everyone to act based on your own personal situation.
If in doubt, think twice. If you are still in doubt, then don't.
Remember to take care of yourself and think about your own and others' health.
Links related to covid-19 in Turkey:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Turkey
https://covid19.tubitak.gov.tr/turkiyede-durum
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