Turkey says seven European countries barred Turkish passengers as
Omicron surges
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[December 30, 2021]
ANKARA (Reuters) - Seven European
nations, including the Netherlands, Italy and Spain, have barred Turkish
passengers from entering their countries as the Omicron variant spreads,
according to travel guidance by Turkey's Civil Aviation Authority (SHGM).
Daily coronavirus cases in Turkey have reached their highest level since
April this week, surging to nearly 37,000, but the number is still
significantly below figures reported in parts of Europe.
The SHGM's COVID-19 travel guidance, last updated on Dec. 28, said the
Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Luxembourg, Croatia, Iceland and Switzerland
would no longer accept Turkish passengers. It said Turkish passengers
would need to show proof of vaccination when entering Portugal or
Sweden.
"Entry cannot be made from our country," the SHGM list said for the
seven European countries, without elaborating.
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Pegasus Airlines self check-in counters are seen at the nearly empty
domestic departure terminal of the Sabiha Gokcen Airport, following
the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Istanbul, Turkey
June 11, 2020. REUTERS/Murad Sezer
The SHGM also updated travel
restrictions for Iraq and Iran, saying passengers travelling to the
two countries may be subject to 14-day quarantine upon entry, while
other travellers would need a negative PCR test.
It was not immediately clear when the new restrictions were put in
place or how long they would be in effect.
The Netherlands announced a snap COVID-19 Christmas lockdown earlier
this month, which will be reviewed on Jan. 14. Other countries have
seen record number of coronavirus cases in recent weeks, working to
balance restrictions while keeping economies running.
Turkey has said it was not considering new restrictions for the
moment, instead urging citizens to ramp up personal measures and get
vaccinated. Ankara launched a nationwide rollout of its domestic
COVID-19 vaccine, Turkovac, on Thursday.
(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Daren Butler and Toby
Chopra)
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