Turkey introduces mandatory 'health codes' for visitors

All passengers arriving in  Turkey from 15 March will have to fill out an electronic questionnaire to receive the so-called health code (HES code). This was reported on Friday by corr. TASS representative of the Ministry of Health of Turkey.

“The form on the register.health.gov.tr website must be completed no more than 72 hours before entering Turkey. This is necessary to ensure the protection of the health of persons arriving in the republic during their stay here. Based on the information they fill in, they will automatically be assigned an individual HES code, with which the Turkish Ministry of Health staff will be able to contact visitors if it is determined that they were in contact with patients with COVID-19 during the trip or stay in Turkey, - said the source of the agency.

Moreover, the Ministry of Health clarified that "the completion of this form can be checked at the border of Turkey." “If the form is not completed at all, or contains misleading information, then legal and administrative sanctions may follow. You may also be denied entry into  Turkey, - added the ministry.

Currently, the HES code is used by all people permanently residing in Turkey. It must be presented when visiting shopping centers and a number of government agencies. In addition, from  15 March, the Istanbul administration obliged residents to provide "health codes" when visiting cafes, hairdressers, hamams, spas, wedding salons, theaters and fitness centers.