Turkey to require negative PCR tests from international passengers

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Turkish Airlines (THY) will begin requiring passengers on overseas flights to submit negative PCR tests as of December 30, the country's flag carrier announced late on Saturday (December 26).

According to a written statement posted on the company's official social media accounts, the requirement will come into effect with a two-day delay from the previously announced date. As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), passengers failing to submit a negative PCR test will not be allowed to board the flight. The obligation will be applied to passengers over six years old and will remain in place until March 1, 2021.

On Friday (December 25), Turkish Airlines had announced that the procedure would begin on December 28 (today).

Later on Friday, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said that authorities would start requiring air, land, and sea passengers arriving in Turkey from abroad to submit negative PCR novel coronavirus (COVID-19) test results sampled a maximum of 72 hours prior to their flight as of December 30.

Minister Koca indicated that the new measures were deemed necessary for international arrivals in Turkey due to the global rise in the numbers of cases as well as the acceleration of the pandemic.

Late last Sunday, Turkey temporarily banned flights from the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, and South Africa due to a fast-spreading new strain of the coronavirus. Flights between Turkey and the Netherlands resumed Wednesday, while the ban is still in place on flights from the rest. Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines conducted repatriation flights to the UK on Friday. (EKN/SD)