Turkey travel should be restricted, according to new safety warnings from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), which have “advised against” venturing to certain areas of the country. Previously, Express.co.uk has reported on warnings for Britons set to visit Istanbul. The country is set to welcome a flux of UK travellers this summer, eager to escape Eurozone countries in favour of switching GBP to Turkish Lira and making the most of their currency transactions. Yet the FCO has issued new advice for certain areas, including travel to “areas within 10km of the Syrian border.”
It now states: “The FCO advise against all travel to areas within 10km of the border with Syria.
“The FCO advise against all but essential travel to all other areas of Sirnak, Kilis (including Kilis city) and Hatay provinces
the provinces of Diyarbakir, Tunceli and Hakkari.”
Providing some backdrop to the situation, it added: “On 24 August 2016, the Turkish military started operations across the Turkey-Syria border near Karkamis and declared special security zones in villages along the Turkey-Syria border in Gaziantep Province.
“Fighting in Syria continues in areas close to the Turkish border and there remains a heightened risk of terrorism in the region.”
British nationals made over 2.3 million visits to Turkey in 2018, with a predicted increase during the next 12 months.
The advice added: “Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Turkey.
“Terrorist groups, including Kurdish groups, Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL) and far left organisations, continue to plan and carry out attacks.
“Further attacks could be indiscriminate. Most attacks have taken place in the south and east of the country, and in Ankara and Istanbul.”
Meanwhile, Express.co.uk recently reported on updated FCO warnings for Spain and France.
It also came to light many travellers to Turkey were not aware they may need vaccinations for stays in the country.
Website FitForTravel has advised Britons on the action they should take, so they can plan ahead before travel.
It stated UK visitors should make sure their regular vaccinations and posters are up to date, such as flu vaccinations.
Meanwhile, it flagged: “Other vaccines to consider: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Rabies; Tetanus.”
It stated: “Many of the health problems experienced by travellers cannot be prevented by vaccinations and other measures need to be taken.
“These include food and water safety, accident prevention, care with sun exposure, avoiding insect bites and animal bites, and practicing good respiratory hygiene.”
