Turkey lifts COVID-19 travel bans on freight drivers except to Iran, Iraq
Turkey's Trade Ministry will be allowing freight drivers to work again, except to travel to Iran and Iraq. More than 1,000 truckers are stranded at Turkey's Iranian border since the country closed the gates in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Duvar English
Turkey lifted COVID-19 travel bans on freight drivers, except to Iraq and Iran, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said April 27.
"Turkish drivers who don't present with COVID-19 symptoms will be allowed to go abroad again, except to Iraq and Iran," Pekcan said.
Upon return from a trip abroad, Turkish truckers will not be quarantined and will be allowed to travel again right away.
Meanwhile, foreign drivers who don't present with symptoms will also be allowed to drop off freight within 72 hours in Turkey.
While the reason to lift the bans was said to prevent a pause in the supply of food and supplies, Pekcan said medicines and medical supplies will be prioritized.
Pekcan didn't comment on the fate of more than 1,000 truckers who have been stranded on Turkey's border with Iran, and were even robbed as they waited for the gates to open.