Hotels in Turkey's Mediterranean resort city of Antalya have started preparations to kick off the summer season, redesigning their facilities with additional health and hygiene measures against the novel coronavirus, state news agency Anadolu reported Friday.
The tourism industry, which garnered 34.5 billion dollars in income last year, remains a key sector for Turkey amid the spread of the pandemic.
The country has recently been working on a scheme to lure back tourists starting by the end of May, following the Eid al-Fitr holiday which marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Turkey started easing coronavirus restrictions on Monday with shopping malls and barber shops resuming business after nearly two months. The relaxation comes as part of a government plan to return to a "new normal" through July.
Hotels will be able to reopen after they meet certain safety criteria and obtain health certificates required by the government, Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy has announced over the weekend.
The government guidelines include placing thermal cameras at hotels, disinfecting luggage, room keys, removing buffets and setting sunbeds at a distance of 1.5 metres.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca this week said tourists would be tested for Covid-19 before entering Turkey.
