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Despite growing Coronavirus cases in Turkey, Istanbul’s weekend curfew doesn’t apply to tourists
Chris Tebbutt | Planet Attractions | 09 Dec 2020
Istanbul remains open to visiting tourists Credit: Anna on Unsplash
Though Istanbul in Turkey has followed suit in the face of growing Coronavirus cases by issuing a lockdown for its citizens, its restrictions don’t apply to the visiting tourists, who are free to explore the city as they please.
Under the current rules, local citizens must abide by a strict curfew, meaning they aren’t able to go outside from Friday at 9pm to Monday at 5am. Those breaking the rules face a fine of 3,150 Turkish Lira (US$402, €333, £300).
Whilst locals were locked down, visitors to the city were still able to attend attractions such as the Topkapi and Dolmabahce palaces. Hotels also offered indoor and outdoor dining.
While Turkish tourism has been affected by COVID-19, the country is still expecting 15 million visitors in 2020. Since the first lockdown in the country, the country’s tourist board has welcomed 9.46 million foreign tourists to the country.
With the help of the country’s Safe Tourism Certification scheme - which covers health and safety measures in transport, accommodation and recreational facilities - Turkey’s Ministry for Tourism predicts total tourism income of US$11bn (€9.12bn, £8.22bn) for 2020.
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