Turkey welcomes foreign tourists while locking down locals Turks

The government has exempted foreign holidaymakers from the 2–1/2-week long lockdown in an effort to revitalise tourism, a critical sector of the Turkish economy. Those arriving in Turkey must show proof of negative COVID-19 tests.

But Turks on social media have voiced indignation at images of tourists partying on the country’s Mediterranean coast or locals slapped with fines for being outdoors while foreign visitors can wander around as they wish.

Tourism revenues plunged by two-thirds to $12 billion last year as the pandemic hit an industry which accounts usually for up to 12% of the economy. Turkey hopes the current restrictions on movement will rescue this season.