As a third of the global population is under coronavirus lockdown, countries are planning on strategies to resume a normal life. One such country is Turkey where new initiatives are being taken up to ensure that your travel plans for the upcoming months don’t get cancelled. By Upasana Singh
Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy recently announced a new initiative to give out certificates to ‘COVID-free’ tourist areas and facilities across the country. The certification system will help revive the tourism industry. After the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is over, this initiative will be launched to ensure the safety of the tourist sites in Turkey. The country is expecting the situation to return back to normal by late May.
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The Ministry will soon start giving the ‘COVID-free’ certificates to tourism-based businesses, where there are no signs of the virus, and relevant hygiene and safety measures are being undertaken. Various ministries and industry representatives have been working together to administer the guidelines and regulations for the certification system.
Famous for its Turkish baths, beautiful mosques, old markets, and ancient monuments, the country plans to redecorate its tourist sites along with airports in accordance with social distancing rules. Thermal cameras will be put in place to detect symptoms of the virus, and health of staff and they will also be provided with the required equipment. The staff will be given ‘COVID-free’ certificates to ensure that there are no health risks among daily workers.
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Ersoy reportedly stated that all tourism transportation will be sanitised regularly and transportation personnel will get pandemic training after undergoing health checks. Moreover, tourists will be required to carry health documents, as cited by international authorities.
The hotel industry has welcomed the initiative and will make sure to inform travellers of their hygiene standards, an important factor in post-pandemic tourism. The Eid al-Fitr holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, at the end of May is being viewed as the perfect time to boost domestic tourism.
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The government continues to support businesses and industries affected by the outbreak through its USD 14.7 billion stimulus package. The internationally recognised certification system is a major step in the direction of promoting safe tourism.
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