How to Travel After Coronavirus?

Coronavirus Travel Standards

How are our coronavirus travel standards changing during the pandemic process, domestic and international travels? Points to consider when traveling by plane or another vehicle during the Covid process.

Due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Epidemic, which emerged at the beginning of last year and affected the whole world, I think nothing will be the same for a certain period of time. It is said that we are approaching the end of a period in which the isolation between countries is applied at a higher level than ever before in history. Therefore, the subject of domestic and international travel can be made on a knife-edge, so to speak, due to the coronavirus measures.

Although it is limited, domestic and international travels can be made within certain restrictions for now. However, I am sure that you, like me, are dreaming of the days when you can travel freely and without limits. According to the statements of experts, the difficult days are over. In the very near future, step by step, we will continue our trips and travels as in the past.

The faster we can adapt to the measures taken in this process, the faster we can transition to our normal life.

The Most Asked Questions About Travel During the Coronavirus Era

Some of the questions frequently asked by people trying to obtain information on the subject on the Internet;

• Is it a holiday in 2021-2022?
• What will the holiday be like after Corona?
• Traveling in the pandemic.
• What are the corona measures taken while traveling abroad?
• What are the corona measures taken in flights?
• Is covid test mandatory on domestic flights?
• Which countries are free to travel to?

Things to Know Before Traveling During the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic Process

Due to the Covid-19 virus, which was detected for the first time in the Wuhan province of the People’s Republic of China last year and spread all over the world in a few months, radical changes have occurred in our lives. International coronavirus travel and journeys have almost come to a standstill.

We produced pre-travel Covid-19 test kits and, at least partially, travel and commercial activities began. Afterwards, successful vaccine production was carried out by countries led by China and Germany. Thus, we had to accept and implement a standard of living that we call the “New Normal“.

So much so that we even pass to the New Normal, we count where we are one. The pandemic is about to turn 3 years old. But even in big metropolises such as Istanbul and Paris, the desired stage has not been reached yet. For this reason, experts are persistently implementing new measures every day.

The main applications that started to take place in our lives with the New Normal are;

• Working from home (Home Office) was encouraged, reducing daily contact and circulation.
• By adopting Online Education-Teaching, we have literally leapt into an era in this field.
• Holidays and Travels are restricted and sometimes even blocked.
• We achieved social isolation with curfews.
• We have adopted new rules in all areas from health to transportation, from education to business life.
• The concept of social distance and masks have become indispensable in our lives.
• Hygiene and cleanliness have become more important than ever.

Coronavirus Precautions in Domestic Travels

Although intercity transportation within the borders of the Republic of Turkey was completely blocked at first, after a while it returned to its normal course in a controlled manner. The HES (Life Fits Home) application was used to prevent coronavirus carriers while traveling from one city to another.

Thanks to this database created by the Ministry of Health, people with positive Covid-19 test results can be detected. Administrative fines and compulsory quarantine between 7-14 days were applied to those who tried to travel although the test result was positive.

With the HES application, which can be installed as an application on smart mobile phones, HES code control has become mandatory in shopping malls, cinemas, public institutions and organizations, banks, public transportation, intercity transportation, travels to be made at airports, and almost all public activities.

Pre-Flight HEPP Code Check in Domestic Lines

Before domestic flights to be made from the Domestic Flights section of the airports, you are requested to have the HES (Hayat Eve Sığar) code during boarding. If you do not have any quarantine measures or positive results after the HES code check, your flight is allowed.

You can get your HES (Hayat Eve Sığar) code via the mobile application of the Ministry of Health or as an SMS. This code must be presented at the time of ticketing. Thus, your ticket is matched with your HEPP code and your travel is allowed. You can install the HES – Hayat Eve Sığar Application on your smartphone using the buttons below.

If your Covid-19 test has been positive in previous dates, this will not prevent you from flying. You must not be a positive case as of the new flight date.

Let’s say, if it is determined that you have Corona disease during the controls made before your flight at the airport, how does the next process work?

If it is determined that you do not comply with the quarantine conditions, you will be transported to the nearest Quarantine Dormitory with the 112 Vehicle. You may need to stay here for up to 14 days. If the PCR test to be done after your quarantine period is negative, you are allowed to leave the dormitory.

In addition, an administrative fine of 3,469 TL will be applied for violating the Coronavirus Quarantine Isolation by Traveling. In addition, during your stay in the Quarantine Center, an invoice is issued with prices varying between 70-100 TL per night. It is necessary to follow the quarantine rules unconditionally for both your own health and public health.

In addition, the class of luggage, known as cabin baggage, is now limited. You may not be allowed to take your cabin-size suitcase with you, except for a sleeve bag or backpack. Before your flight, you should definitely consult with the airline company you bought the ticket for.

HEPP Code Control at Provincial Entrances and Exits

A strict isolation measure is implemented by the National Police at the entrances and exits of almost all cities. For example, when a passenger departing from Istanbul travels by personal vehicle or bus, he or she goes through the HES (Hayat Eve Sığar) code control at at least 2 different points.

You cannot pass without your HEPP (Hayat Eve Sığar) code at the Police Checkpoints at Istanbul Camlica Toll Offices and Ankara West Toll Offices.

In addition to inter-city travel by motor vehicles, measures were also taken for inter-city travels by train and high-speed train. Before boarding the train, your ticket and HES (Hayat Eve Sığar) code are matched and checked, and you are allowed to board the train. In addition, the seating arrangements in the train have been changed and the seats that can be seated face to face are now arranged as one-way.

Hygiene conditions have been maximized in buses, trains, high-speed trains and airplanes serving between cities. The vehicles, which are routinely taken into cleaning care after each trip, are thus free of viruses and ready for the new voyage.

At the same time, before traveling, temperature is taken from the forehead or wrist while getting on the vehicles. The coronavirus travel rules consist of a series of measures that start a few days before the trip and end when you arrive at the destination.

Coronavirus Precautions Taken in Overseas Travels

Coronavirus travel measures in international travels consist of more serious and sanctionable rules than domestic. Especially in flights to Europe, America and Far East countries, high-level measures have been taken.

Measures are increased or decreased according to the course of the virus. However, since the process is still ongoing, many of the routine applications continue to be applied even today.

In international flights, your flight is not allowed without the HES (Hayat Eve Sığar) code as well as the International PCR (Covid-19) Test Result.

I would also like to remind you that the HES code has no validity in foreign countries. The code generated through the Hayat Eve Sığar application is valid only within the borders of the Republic of Turkey. For Covid-19 control abroad, you are required to have an approved PCR Test Result Document issued in English with international validity.

Coronavirus Precautions at the International Terminal

To enter many countries, when you go to the airport and enter the passport control, you are asked for an internationally valid Negative PCR test result. This test result must be up-to-date. In other words, you must have it done on the day of your flight or the day before at the latest. Otherwise, the authorities will not allow you to enter the country.

In order for the citizens of our country not to encounter such negativities abroad, a paid PCR Test with International Validity is carried out at our airports.

In addition, Negative PCR is also requested from citizens of other countries who will enter Turkey.

In addition, your instant body temperature is measured with Infrared Thermal Cameras in the airport and it goes to the control center. If your fever is high, you are immediately transferred to the isolated area by the medical team.

In addition, passengers from countries with a high Covid-19 Risk Factor may also be included in quarantine depending on the situation. Likewise, in some countries such as England, it can quarantine you regardless of your test result when entering the airport.

Coronavirus Travel Precautions to be Followed on Planes

Corona measures continue even when you get on a plane to travel abroad. You are not allowed to take off your mask in any way. If you insist on not wearing a mask on the plane, there is a high probability that your journey will turn into a nightmare. Last year, a passenger on a plane that made an emergency landing in Texas, USA, was hurried off the plane because of this.

A coronavirus travel warning is that many airline companies have taken additional measures to ensure a hygienic environment on board. For example, the food and beverage services offered during the flight have been removed. In addition, newspapers, magazines or brochures distributed on aircraft seats are not given for a temporary period.

The aircraft cabin is cleaned with special disinfectants by professional cleaning experts and is prepared for the next flight.

It seems that we will continue to live, travel or vacation under New Normal conditions for a while. During this period, it seems that we will continue to add new ones to the rules to be considered while going abroad.