How Will the New Normalizations Be from June 1st? Here Are New Decisions

The Shift to Gradual Normalization: Understanding the June 1st Framework

Following the Cabinet Meeting held on May 31, a significant transition began regarding the public health measures and social restrictions that have shaped daily life in Turkey. The Ministry of Interior has issued a comprehensive circular to the governorships of all 81 provinces, detailing the second stage of the gradual normalization period. This phase is designed to balance the reopening of the economy with continued vigilance against the pandemic. Many residents and travelers have been asking: how will the new normalizations be from june 1st here are new decisions that define the path forward.

The new regulations represent a departure from the strict lockdowns of previous months, introducing more flexible hours for businesses and individuals while maintaining a structured curfew system. These decisions are rooted in the data provided by the Ministry of Health and aim to prevent a resurgence of cases while allowing the retail, service, and hospitality sectors to resume operations under specific safety protocols. For those navigating these changes, understanding the distinction between weekday and weekend rules is essential for compliance and planning.

The New Curfew Schedule and Sunday Lockdowns

The most immediate change involves the restructuring of curfew hours. The government has moved away from the full-day weekday restrictions, opting instead for a night-time curfew that allows for a full day of economic activity. However, the Sunday lockdown remains a core component of the strategy to limit social mobility during peak leisure times.

During the Sunday lockdown, which effectively begins late Saturday night and lasts until Monday morning, the movement of citizens is strictly limited to essential needs. It is important to note that the Ministry of Interior has clarified that during these full-day curfews, only specific businesses like bakeries and grocery stores may operate within designated hours, typically between 10:00 and 17:00, to allow citizens to purchase basic necessities within walking distance of their homes.

Status of Foreign Nationals: Tourists vs. Residents

A critical point of clarification in the new decisions involves the legal status of foreigners in Turkey. The exemption from curfew restrictions is not universal for all non-citizens. The Ministry has explicitly stated that the exemption only applies to foreigners who are in the country for a temporary or short-term period specifically for touristic activities. This means that individuals visiting on a tourist visa or visa waiver who are staying in hotels or temporary holiday rentals are generally not subject to the curfew hours.

If you need a closer look here, see Understanding Turkish Residence Permit Rules for Turkmen Citizens.

If you need a closer look here, see Understanding the Legal Necessity of Foreign Health Insurance in Turkey.

Conversely, foreigners who reside in Turkey under a residence permit, those under temporary protection status, or international protection applicants are fully subject to the curfew rules. This distinction is vital to avoid legal complications or fines. If you are living in Turkey long-term, you must adhere to the same 22:00 to 05:00 weekday curfew and the full Sunday lockdown as Turkish citizens. For more detailed context on how these rules have evolved, you can review the previous restrictions for foreign national persons.

Rules for Specific Age Groups and Public Transport

The normalization process also introduces specific provisions for different age demographics, particularly those aged 65 and over and those under 18. The primary factor determining freedom of movement for the elderly is vaccination status. Citizens aged 65 and over who have received two doses of the vaccine are no longer subject to additional curfew restrictions beyond the general night-time and Sunday curfews applied to the general public.

However, there are still limitations regarding the use of public transportation. Regardless of whether they are subject to a specific curfew, individuals in the 65+ and under-18 age groups are prohibited from using urban public transport vehicles, including the metro, metrobuses, buses, and minibuses. The only exception to this rule is for students who are required to attend face-to-face education as deemed appropriate by the Ministry of National Education. These students must carry proof of their educational status to be exempted from the transport ban.

Support for Vulnerable Groups

For citizens in advanced age groups or those with serious illnesses who are unable to meet their own basic needs, the VEFA Social Support Groups remain active. These groups can be reached via the emergency numbers 112, 155, and 156. District governors are responsible for ensuring that the essential requirements of these individuals are met promptly, especially during the full-day Sunday lockdowns when mobility is most restricted.

Reopening of Food and Beverage Establishments

Restaurants, cafes, patisseries, and cafeterias are now permitted to accept customers for table service, provided they adhere to the strict protocols outlined in the Ministry of Health’s Epidemic Management and Working Guide. The physical layout of these establishments must be modified to ensure safety:

If you need a closer look here, see Inter-city Bans Lift.

• Distancing: A minimum distance of 2 meters must be maintained between tables.
• Seating: Chairs placed side-by-side must have at least 60 cm of space between them.
• Capacity: In outdoor areas, a maximum of three customers are allowed at a single table. In indoor areas, this is limited to two customers per table.
• Hours: Table service is available from 07:00 to 21:00, Monday through Saturday. From 21:00 to 24:00, these businesses can only offer take-away or delivery services.
• Sundays: On Sundays, no table service or pick-up is allowed; establishments may only operate as a delivery/package service between 07:00 and 24:00.

Business Operations and Sunday Sales Restrictions

As of June 1st, a wide range of businesses that had been closed since mid-April are allowed to reopen. This includes movie theaters, gyms, internet cafes, billiard rooms, and theme parks. Movie theaters must operate at 50% capacity, utilizing a staggered seating arrangement where one seat remains empty for every occupied seat. These venues are permitted to operate between 07:00 and 21:00 on weekdays and Saturdays.

However, certain high-risk establishments will remain closed until further notice. These include indoor swimming pools, Turkish baths (hamams), saunas, massage parlors, hookah lounges, and taverns. Retail shops, including clothing stores, barbers, and shopping malls, can operate between 07:00 and 21:00, except on Sundays.

Restricted Goods on Sundays

To prevent non-essential shopping during the Sunday lockdown, the Ministry has prohibited the sale of specific product categories in markets and supermarkets. While these stores remain open for basic food and hygiene needs, the following items cannot be sold on Sundays:

Social Events, Weddings, and General Assemblies

The normalization phase introduces a tiered timeline for social gatherings and institutional meetings. General assemblies for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), trade unions, and cooperatives are postponed until June 15, 2021. After this date, they may proceed with a requirement of 4 square meters per person in open areas and 6 square meters per person in closed areas.

For those planning weddings or marriage ceremonies, the following steps must be followed as of June 1st:

1. Venue Preparation: Ensure the venue complies with the Ministry of Health guidelines regarding table spacing and hygiene stations.
2. Guest Limitation: For indoor ceremonies, the number of guests is strictly limited to 100 people.
3. Space Allocation: There must be at least 6 square meters of space per guest in indoor settings.
4. Service Restrictions: No food or beverages may be served during the ceremony until June 15.
5. Documentation: Maintain a guest list for contact tracing purposes if required by local health authorities.

It is important to note that more social events like engagement parties and henna nights are not permitted in this initial phase and are scheduled to be allowed after July 1, 2021, provided the epidemiological situation remains stable.

Intercity and Urban Public Transportation

Public transportation continues to operate under capacity limits to ensure physical distancing. Intercity buses and trains (excluding planes) are restricted to 50% of the passenger capacity listed on their vehicle license. The seating arrangement must be "one full, one empty" to prevent contact between passengers who do not know each other.

However, an exception is made for families. Individuals who reside at the same address and are part of the same nuclear family (spouses, parents, siblings) are permitted to sit side-by-side without being subject to the capacity calculation. In buses with a 2+1 seating arrangement, passengers can occupy both window seats while the middle seat remains empty. For urban transport, minibuses and midibuses are also limited to 50% capacity, and standing passengers are strictly prohibited to prevent overcrowding during peak hours.

These measures represent a careful step toward restoring the social and economic fabric of the country. By adhering to these guidelines, both residents and visitors contribute to a safer environment for everyone. If you have questions about how these regulations impact your specific situation or residency status, staying informed through official channels is the best way to navigate the transition. SimplyTR continues to monitor these updates to provide the most accurate information for the international community in Turkey.