Turkey to Use App to Track Intercity Travels, Test International Passengers for Covid-19

Esenler Bus Terminal, İstanbul (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

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To prevent the spread of Covid-19, the Health Ministry will use a mobile app to track intercity travels, Minister Fahrettin Koca said yesterday (May 20).

The citizens will use the code from the app to show that they are not sick or carrying the virus and be able to board planes and trains within Turkey, he said.

The app named "Hayat Eve Sığar" (Life Fits into Home) has currently more than 10 million users. It includes a self-assessment tool for Covid-19 and shows risk maps of cities.

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"With this application, individuals will be able to demonstrate that they do not have risks, are not sick or in contact," Koca remarked.

As part of the outbreak measures, travelling from and to 15 larger cities, including İstanbul and Ankara, is restricted.

In addition, the minister said the government is also planning to test passengers coming from abroad at airports and on land borders, including customs stations.

"Covid health tourism"

He also noted that Turkey will start health tourism season early, and charter flights may be arranged depending on demand.

About the curfew imposed on the elderly, Koca said they might be allowed to leave for their hometowns for Eid, on the condition of not returning for 30 days.

Recalling curfew orders during the upcoming the Sugar Feast (Eid al-Fitr) holiday, he said "if we take precautions now, we will reap its benefits later on".

For re-opening cafes and restaurants in the country, a plan will soon be shared with the public, added the minister.

A total of 4,199 people have died nationwide of the virus and 151,615 have contracted the infection, according to officials. Some 112,895 people have made a recovery. (EKN/VK)