Many hotels in Turkey have agreed to cover expenses if British visitors are forced to self-isolate beyond their planned return from holiday.
However, anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 on arrival in the country or during their stay will be taken to hospital immediately.
The measures were unveiled as Turkey’s culture and tourism ministry released a film and information pack outlining strict health and safety measures as well as procedures if anyone arrives in the country with the virus or contracts it while on holiday.
The video was featured on ITV and Channel 4 over the weekend, featuring a ‘Safe Tourism Certification’ logo announced by Turkish tourism authorities last month.
All arrivals will have their temperature taken. Should a temperature be higher than 37.8 degrees, they will be given a PCR test free of charge. If the result is positive, they will be taken to a nearby hospital.
Should a visitor become symptomatic during their stay in Turkey, they will also be taken to a nearby hospital, isolated and treated.
Patients will also have the option of seeing out their isolation period within their hotel in a ‘quarantine floor’.
“With one more welcoming gesture of generosity, many Turkish hotels are offering guests who have tested positive for Covid-19 during their stay the option to convalesce within the hotel, even after their planned trip is over, covering all costs until their isolation period has finished,” a spokesperson said.
Tourism minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said: “Turkey’s healthcare system and infrastructure proved resilient during the pandemic and incoming foreign tourists should feel safe in the country.
“We are delighted to have an ‘air bridge’ with UK. We have gone to great lengths to consider the safety and wellbeing of our guests from the UK who want to have an exceptional holiday in our beautiful country during the epidemic period.
“With our strong healthcare infrastructure system, stringent health and safety measures and special insurance packages for tourists, we are ready to welcome British citizens as always.”