New circular by ministry: Mask mandate continues in public transport, hospitals, theaters

Photo: AA

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The Ministry of Interior has issued a circular specifying the conditions of mask rules after the health minister's announcement on March 2 that the outdoor mask mandate and contact tracing (HES) code requirement were lifted.

According to the circular sent to the governor's offices of the 81 provinces, PCR tests and HES codes won't be required in theaters, shopping malls and transportation.

In addition to outdoors, the mask mandate has also been lifted in indoor areas where physical distancing is applicable and proper ventilation is available.

The mask mandate will continue in places where physical distance can't be maintained such as schools, hospitals, public transport and theaters.

Wearing a mask will be required in all kinds of public transport vehicles, including intercity buses and planes.

Those who are not vaccinated or haven't had the disease in the last 180 days will no longer have to submit a negative PCR test result in situations like plane travel. Only those with symptoms will be asked to submit a PCR result.

Among those who enter Turkey via airports or border crossings, who received at least two vaccine doses (one dose for Johnson & Johnson vaccines) at least 14 days before their arrival, who have had the disease in the past six months (the six-month period starts from 28 days after a person's first positive PCR result) and who got a negative PCR results within 72 hours before their arrival will not be quarantined.

No documents will be required from people who will enter the country through land, sea and railway border crossings.

Children under the age of 12 will be exempted from the requirements of PCR/antigen test reports and vaccination certificates.

In order to prevent adverse effects on foreign trade, flight crew members and key personnel will be exempted from quarantine. (HA/VK)