Over 250,000 senior citizens, companions given permits for inter-province travel

Duvar English

The Interior Ministry announced on May 21 that 258,651 people have been given travel permits in one day following the announcement that senior citizens will be allowed to travel to their hometowns as long as they stay at that destination for one month.

Turkey's senior citizens allowed to travel to their hometowns

The figure also included the number of people accompanying the senior citizens, the ministry said.

Turkey on May 20 announced that it was easing inter-province travel restrictions for people above 65 — the age group most at risk of developing serious COVID-19 symptoms — on the condition that they do not return for one month.

One person can accompany the senior during their travels and that person needs to return within three days, the authorities said.

Following the government's announcement, thousands of people applied to the government's e-portal system, government Alo 199 hotline and Vefa support hotline – a lifeline formed to help senior citizens sheltering from the virus.

As of 5.30 p.m. on May 21, some 258,651 people have been provided travel permits through one of these three ways, the Interior Ministry said.

Bugün saat 17.30 itibariyle,
65 yaş ve üzeri vatandaşlarımızın, e-Devlet, İçişleri Bakanlığı, e-Başvuru sistemi ve Alo 199 Vefa Destek Hattı üzerinden;
Seyahat İzin Başvurularıyla, yanlarındaki refakatçileri dahil izin verilen kişi sayısı:
2️⃣5️⃣8️⃣.6️⃣5️⃣1️⃣

— T.C. İçişleri Bakanlığı #EvdeHayatVar? (@TC_icisleri) May 21, 2020

Turkey has implemented partial lockdowns with people above 65 and under 20, who are ordered to stay at home. The measure towards senior citizens came into force on March 21.

Although the curfew for senior citizens is still in effect, they are now allowed out for up to six hours on Sundays every week.