Circular published on mask ban and removal of HES code

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca’s circular on the mask ban and the decision to remove the HES code, which he announced by saying, “We are in the last stage of returning to normal,” has been published. With the circular sent to the governorship of 81 provinces by the Ministry of Interior, it became clear where the bans were lifted and where they will continue to be implemented.

Mask ban and HES code circular

Ministry of Interior on the abolition of mask ban, HES code and PCR test requirement The circular is as follows:

“The procedures and principles regarding the functioning of social life during the coronavirus (Covid19) epidemic; It is determined in line with the general course of the epidemic and the recommendations of the Ministry of Health.

In the relevant letter of the Ministry of Health (a); Emphasizing that “at the point where the pandemic has come, the effect of the epidemic has decreased, the vaccination has become widespread, and it has less impact on social life than before, and it has become important to apply the measures taken at the individual level, not as a restriction in every part of the society in our country as in the world”, emphasizing the use of masks, HES code and PCR test. It is requested that the existing measures and rules regarding the request be rearranged.

In this context;

1. REVOCED PROVISIONS;

1.1 In the relevant Ministry Circulars; The implementation of the provisions regarding mask use, HES code query and negative PCR test result submission has been terminated as of 03.03.2022.

2. MASK USE;

2.1 From now on, the obligation to use masks will not be applied in open areas and indoor places where social distance can be applied and where appropriate ventilation conditions are available.

2.2 On the other hand, until a new decision is taken; The obligation to use masks will continue to be enforced in closed places where the necessary social distance cannot be achieved between people such as schools, hospitals, cinemas, theaters, and in all kinds of public transportation vehicles (including intercity) such as buses, minibuses, shuttles, trains, subways, ferries, and planes.

3. TERMINATION OF HEPP CODE APPLICATION;

3.1 The practice of making HEPP code inquiries for those who will enter certain areas such as shopping malls (AVM), theaters, carpet pitches or who will use public transportation vehicles such as buses, trains and planes will be terminated as of 03.03.2022.

4. PCR TEST;

4.1 The practice of requesting a negative PCR test result from people who are unvaccinated or who have not completed the vaccination process or who have not had the disease in the last 180 days, such as traveling by plane, will be terminated as of 03.03.2022 and from now on, the relevant letter (a) of the Ministry of Health. In line with this, PCR test will not be requested from people who do not have any signs of disease.

5. APPLICATION PRINCIPLES ON BORDER GATE;

In line with the letter of interest (b) of the Ministry of Health, the procedures and principles to be applied when entering the country from our border gates as of 03.03.2022 will be rearranged as follows;

5.1 When entering our country from our border gates by air; Relevant information stating that they have received at least two doses (single dose for Johnson & Johnson) of the vaccines approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization or our country, and that at least 14 days have passed since the last dose or that they have had the disease within the last 6 months, starting from the 28th day of the first PCR positive test result. Quarantine measures will not be applied to those who present a document issued by the country’s official authorities or who present a negative PCR test result taken within the last 72 hours or a negative rapid antigen test taken within the last 48 hours.

5.2 No documents will be requested from people who will enter our country through our land, sea and railway border gates.

5.3 Children under the age of 12 will be exempted from PCR/Antigen test report and vaccination certificate applications when they enter our country.

5.4 In order not to adversely affect foreign trade, aircrew and key personnel will be exempted from SARSCoV2 PCR testing and quarantine application.

5.5 Provisions of special arrangement at bilateral level with foreign countries are reserved.”