The Ministry of Interior has issued a new travel directive to the governorates of all 81 provinces. The circular concerns Travel Permit Certificates for tea producers and their registered pickers. According to the directive, when travel routes pass through any of the 15 provinces subject to entry-exit restrictions, a travel permit certificate will be required. Tea growers registered with Çaykur will be allowed to travel to the provinces where their tea gardens are located for the first fresh leaf harvest starting Tuesday, May 19, from 00:01, provided they obtain a travel permit certificate.
The directive published by the Ministry of Interior states that Travel Permit Certificate applications can be made through the e-Government (e-Devlet) system. An alternative application method is the ALO 199 phone line. Applications via the ALO 199 support line will begin on Thursday, May 14. Tea producers must commit that their pickers will remain at their residence, tea garden, or tea delivery point for 14 days, will comply with social isolation rules while working, and will wear masks at tea collection centers.
Applicants Whose Permits Are Approved Will Be Notified by SMS
Applicants whose permits are approved will receive notification by SMS. During the application process, isolation status checks for the applicant and accompanying persons will be performed easily. The system can automatically verify whether the applicant is registered with Çaykur and whether accompanying persons are among those who must provide mandatory assistance. The Travel Permit Certificate issued to applicants is unilateral. Holders of the issued travel permit are expected to remain in the destination provinces for 30 days.
The circular clarifies that tea producers registered with Çaykur whose travel routes pass through one or more of the 15 provinces with entry-exit restrictions may travel to the provinces where their tea gardens are located for the first seasonal fresh-leaf harvest for 2020 starting from Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at 24:00, on the condition of obtaining a Travel Permit Certificate.
Applications for travel permits to participate in the tea harvest can be submitted electronically via the e-Government system and through the ALO 199 Vefa Support System. Applications for tea producers will begin on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at 09:00. Only citizens registered with Çaykur are eligible to apply for the travel permit. Applicants whose requests are approved will be informed by SMS to their mobile phones without the need to present any additional documents.