Curfew: Turkish authorities announced a four-day curfew from Thursday, April 23 (beginning midnight Wednesday) through Sunday April 26 (ending at midnight Sunday).  The curfew covers 31 municipalities and provinces.  Markets, bakeries, and grocery stores will remain open with limited hours on April 23 and 24, and customers are permitted to buy essentials within walking distance in their neighborhoods or have them delivered.  Motor vehicle use during the curfew is not permitted except for those with disabilities.  Essential services including hospitals, pharmacies and airports will remain open.  For specific details, please see:  https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/30-buyuksehir-ve-zonguldak-ilinde-23-24-25-26-nisan-tarihlerinde-uygulanacak-sokaga-cikma-kisitlamasi 

Direct flights to the United States: Booking is still available for three direct Turkish Airlines flights to the U.S. this week, listed below.  These flights are commercially operated and are NOT U.S. government operated flights.  Any questions related to the flights (seat preference, luggage, ability to take pets) should be directed to Turkish Airlines.  If you intend to take one of these flights, book your tickets now from the Turkish Airlines website or call center (444 0 849 | 0850 333 0 849). If you also complete this form we will flag your intention to purchase a ticket to both Turkish Airlines and Turkish authorities.  IF YOU DO NOT BOOK YOUR TICKET TODAY, YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO OBTAIN A TRAVEL PERMIT ONCE THE CURFEW BEGINS.

Travel permits: IF YOU ARE IN ISTANBUL, YOU DO NOT NEED A TRAVEL PERMIT.  If you are outside of Istanbul, you need a travel permit to get there.  The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that foreign travelers with locally issued travel permits in hand can travel through provinces in order to depart Turkey from Istanbul on Thursday and Friday during the curfew.  You must obtain your travel permit from Turkish authorities prior to Wednesday, April 22, 11:59 PM.  Please also fill out this form so the Embassy may support your travel permit request.  Turkish Airlines strongly urges travelers to arrive in Istanbul before the curfew begins, if possible.

Transit to Istanbul airport during curfew:  Turkish Airlines informs passengers that the Istanbul Airport Taxi Coop (Phone: +90 850 780 7734 or +90 533 315 7133) and the HAVAIST bus service (https://hava.ist/en) will be able to provide local transit to the airport from Istanbul during the curfew. Travelers must arrive at the airport at least four hours before their scheduled flight time, and should review all information on the Turkish Airlines website here: https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-us/announcements/evacuation-flights-during-curfew/.
DIRECT FLIGHTS TO THE UNITED STATES

Thursday, April 23, 2020 
Flight TK 4940 Istanbul (IST) – Los Angeles (LAX)
Departs 02:25
Arrives 06:05

Flight TK 4030 Istanbul (IST) – New York (JFK)
Departs 14:40
Arrives 18:30

Friday, April 24, 2020 
Flight TK 4906 Istanbul (IST) – Washington D.C. (IAD)
Departs 02:40
Arrives 06:30