Updated List of Covid-19 Measures

April 23, 2021: The period to benefit from short-term working allowance due to Covid-19 has been extended until June 30, 2021, to be valid as April 1, 2021.

March 1, 2021: By a decision of the President’s cabinet, the “restricted normalization” process in the fight with Covid-19 has begun. Accordingly, there have been few changes in the existing curfews and work hours and conditions of certain commercial entities. Depending on the number of Covid-19 cases in each city, the applicability of these new measures will vary.

February 19,2021: The period to benefit from short time work allowance has been extended until March 31, 2021.

December 2, 2020: Presidential decrees no 3246, 3247 and 3248 prolonged the applicability period of three incentives, including the incentive introduced in oder to normalize commercial life.

December 1, 2020: The Ministry of Interior has announced that, until further notice, there will be a curfew every week day from 21:00 till 05:00, across the country. There will be a lock down starting from from 21:00 every Friday night, until 05:00 every Monday morning. The new working hours of state offices will be 10:00 to 16:00. Persons that are above 65 and below 20 years of age will be prohibited from using public transportation. Kindergartens and nurseries will stop their services, and shopping malls will allow visitors, only after carrying out HES no inquiries.

November 30, 2020: The Presidential decree no 3238, announced that it will be possible to apply for short time work allowance once again, between December 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. This new regulation will allow the employers, who previously applied for short time work allowance, to register new employees. Also the employers, who have not yet applied, will be eligible to apply for short time work allowance. Subsequently the employees will be allowed to receive short time work allowance until March 1, 2021.

November 17, 2020: Law no. 7256 has announced that the state officials will not be kept responsible for the unnecessary and faulty payments made as short time work allowance. Moreover, there will not be any reclaim from employees who received such excessive payments. Additionally the President has been granted the authority to extend the applicability of short time work allowance, on a sector specific basis or as a whole, until 30.06.2021. The law also introduced 3 additional incentives to boost the employment and extended the applicability period of existing incentives.

October 27, 2020: In companies that applied for short-term working before June 30, 2020, the short-term working allowance is extended for 2 months for the same employees, under the same conditions. The new extension period will end on December 30, 2020. The “prohibition of termination of employment contracts” and the option for the employer to send the employee on “unpaid leave” are extended for 2 more months. Thus they will be in force until January 17, 2021.

September 4, 2020: The “prohibition of termination of employment contracts” and ”unpaid leave” measures period has extended for 2 more months effective from 17 September 2020 to 17 November 2020.

June 18, 2020: Due to high school entrance exams which will be held in 81 cities in Turkey, the Ministry of Internal Affairs declared a curfew on June 20, 2020 from 9 am to 3 pm; on June 27, 2020 from 9.30 am to 3 pm and on June 28, 2020 from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm.

June 17, 2020: The Governorship of Istanbul announced that all citizens are obliged to wear their masks in outdoor areas.

June 14, 2020: The Governorship of Istanbul published a decree for demonstrations, public statements, etc. to be applied until June 30, 2020.

June 13, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that wedding halls will start working as of June 15, 2020.

June 10, 2020: The Governorship of Istanbul announced that curfew will be applied for citizens older than 65 between 10 am – 8 pm; and citizens under 18 will be free to go out anytime as long as they are with their parents.

June 9, 2020: The President announced that cinemas, theatres, show centers and wedding saloons, etc. will start servicing as of July 1, 2020.

May 30, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs ended the suspension of travels in 15 cities as of May 31, 2020, 12 am.

May 29, 2020: A presidential decree on the precautions to be taken in public institutions and organizations, against Covid-19, has been announced.

May 29, 2020: The Council of Judges and Prosecutors published a decision on the action plan to return to ‘the new normal’.

May 28, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs declared curfew for 15 cities, from May 29, 2020, 12 am to May 31, 2020 12 am.

May 20, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs published a decree, allowing citizens older than 65 to travel to any residential area as of May 21, 2020, 9 am, on the condition of not returning for at least a month.

May 19, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs declared four days of curfew for all over Turkey from May 22, 2020 12 am to May 26, 2020 12 am.

May 19, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs extended the temporary suspension of all travel to 14 major cities and Zonguldak until midnight of June 3, 2020.

May 17, 2020: The Ministry of Commerce issued a “Communiqué on the Implementation of Interim Article 13 of Turkish Commercial Code” in an attempt to provide exemptions to the restrictions imposed on dividend distribution for the year 2019 by Interim Article 13.

May 4, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs extended the temporary suspension of all travel to 23 major cities and Zonguldak until midnight of May 19, 2020.

May 3, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs extended the temporary suspension of all travel to 30 major cities and Zonguldak for 1 more day, until midnight of May 4, 2020.

April 30, 2020: By the Presidential Decree Extending the Suspension Period to Prevent the Loss of Legal Rights , the suspension of time limits in most legal proceedings and adjournment of hearings has been extended to June 15, 2020.

April 30, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs declared three days of curfew in 30 major cities and Zonguldak, from April 30, 2020 12 pm, to May 3, 2020, at 12 pm.

April 21, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs declared four days of curfew in 30 major cities and Zonguldak, from April 22, 2020 12 pm, to April 26, 2020, at 12 pm.

April 17, 2020: The Law No. 7244 introduced several temporary measures, such as prohibition of termination of employment contracts, unpaid leave, without employee’s consent and restriction on the shareholders general assembly’s right to freely dispose on the annual profit, for a period of 3-months, to combat the economic effects of the pandemic.

April 16, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs declared two days of curfew for 30 major cities and Zonguldak from April 17, 2020 12 am to April 19, 2020 12 am.

April 13, 2020: The Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety Department of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services published a guide on measures that should be taken against the Coronavirus at construction sites.

April 10, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs declared two days of curfew for 30 major cities and Zonguldak from April 10, 2020 12 am to April 12, 2020 12 am.

April 6, 2020: It became mandatory for citizens to put on masks while in health institutions.

April 6, 2020: Country-wide ban on sale of masks against payment.

April 5, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a circular on the Curfew Exceptions for Young People Between the Ages of 18-20.

April 4, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs issued an additional circular on Exceptions to on Vehicle Entrance/Exit Restrictions for Cities and a statement on conditions to be met by persons who will be allowed to travel.

April 3, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs temporarily halted transportation to 30 major cities and Zonguldak for 15 days, starting from April 4, 2020 and announced a curfew for people born after January 1st, 2000.

April 3, 2020: Putting on masks and maintaining safe social distances at markets, bazaars and workplaces where work is carried out collectively made mandatory via the Circular on Measures re Entrance to Cities and Age Limitations issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, obligation

April 2, 2020: Presidential Circular no. 2020/5 on Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on Public Procurement Contracts published in the Official Gazette.

March 30, 2020: Decision of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors on measures to be taken in the judiciary, such as the rescheduling of hearings, published by the Ministry of Justice.

March 30, 2020: “Solidarity Campaign” initiated to call for donations from citizens in benefit of Covid-19 funds.

March 29, 2020: The Ministry of Internal Affairs limited bus transportation via an additional circular.

March 28, 2020: Sabiha Gokcen Airport closed, international flights and train services stopped and bus travel made subject to permission, via circular of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

March 27, 2020: The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services published its Guide on Measures that should be taken at the workplaces against the Coronavirus.

March 26, 2020: Law No: 7226 on Amendments to Various Laws, which included provisions on retroactive suspension of the majority of legal periods between March 13 – April 30, was published in the Official Gazette.

March 25, 2020: The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services published its guide on measures against the Coronavirus that should be taken at the workplaces by occupational health and safety professionals.

March 25, 2020: Decree on postponement of loan payments of merchants and craftsmen harmed by Covid-19 for low-interest loans taken from Halk Bank in accordance with previous decrees.

March 23, 2020: Regulations re civil servants’ work-from-home arrangements.

March 23, 2020: Public notaries and courthouses to work in alternating shifts.

March 22, 2020: Presidential Decree on the Suspension of Enforcement and Bankruptcy Proceedings, relating to the suspension between March 22 – April 30 of all enforcement and bankruptcy proceedings (except those relating to alimony receivables) and court orders for provisional attachments, was published in the Official Gazette.

March 22, 2020: The presidential circular no. 2020/4 on Additional Measures against Covid-19 for Civil Servants published in the Official Gazette.

March 22, 2020: Decree on Amendments to the decision on Value Added Tax Percentages Applied to Goods and Services published in the Official Gazette.

March 22, 2020: Legal periods for enforcement and bankruptcy proceedings suspended.

March 22, 2020: Seated service banned in all restaurants, cafés, bakeries etc. Take-away and delivery service allowed only.

March 22, 2020: Curfew announced for citizens older than 65 and/or who suffer from chronic diseases.

March 22, 2020: Statement published by the Ministry of Industry and Technology on measures against Covid-19 to be taken in factories.

March 20, 2020: The Presidential Circular no. 2020/3 on country-wide postponement of national and international organizations published in the Official Gazette.

March 20, 2020: The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services published its Guide on Measures against the Coronavirus to Be Taken at Workplaces.

March 20, 2020: The Ministry of Commerce announced measures re wholesale and retail sale of fruits, vegetables and bread in bags, as well as measures re cancellation of company general assembly meetings which have been announced but are yet to be carried out.

March 19, 2020: All sports events, general assembly meetings and training sessions of non-governmental organizations, large scaled organizations, all sorts of meetings and activities that bring a large number of people together postponed temporarily.

March 18, 2020: Economic Stability Shield package announced following the Meeting for Cooperation against Coronavirus re payments and taxes.

March 18, 2020: All visits, drills and events postponed by the Turkish Armed Forces.

March 16, 2020: Persons covered by insurance whose reports for medications have expired on March 1, 2020 to be able to obtain their medication without the need to get a new report until a second announcement.

March 16, 2020: Persons arriving to Turkey from countries where infection is common to be quarantined for 14 days.

March 16, 2020: Citizens entering Turkey to be provided with medical reports to rest up to 14 days, based on diagnosis.

March 16, 2020: Private kindergartens, daycare centers and kinder clubs which received work permits from the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services temporarily shut down.

March 16, 2020: All theaters, movie theaters, show centers, concert halls, wedding halls, café/restaurants with music, clubs/casinos, beerhouses, taverns, coffeehouses, cafeterias, public gardens, shisha houses, internet cafés, game arcades, playgrounds (including those in malls and restaurants), tea gardens, clubhouses, amusement parks, swimming pools, Turkish baths, saunas, thermal springs, massage parlors, spas and sports centers temporarily shut down by the Ministry of Interior Affairs.

March 16, 2020: Ban on entrances to mosques and masjids.

March 16, 2020: Sports events to be carried out without spectators.

March 13, 2020: International travel ban for civil servants.

March 13, 2020: The Ministry of National Education announced that starting from March 16, 2020 primary and high schools would be temporarily closed and education continue via distance learning.

March 13, 2020: Ban on visitors in hospitals and nursing homes.

March 11, 2020: First case of Covid-19 announced by government.

March 11, 2020: The General Directorate of Public Health established teams working 7/24 at the Public Health Emergencies Operation Center. The communication center of the Ministry of Health set up a “Corona Advisory Line” (ALO 184).

March 10, 2020: Healthcare professionals’ leaves reorganized by the Ministy of Health.

March 04, 2020: Export of masks, protective suits, glasses, surgical masks and medical gloves made subject to permits.

February 29, 2020: All flights cancelled between Turkey and Italy, South Korea and Iraq.

February 24, 2020: Plane passengers arriving from China scanned with thermal cameras in airports in İstanbul.

February 23, 2020: Turkey closed land borders with Iran.

February 22, 2020: Chinese Airlines’ Wuhan-Istanbul flights cancelled.

February 5, 2020: All flights cancelled between China and Turkey.