Bulgarians, who visit Edirne mainly for shopping, do PCR tests for KOVID-19 before returning to their homeland, the Hurriyet Daily News reported, quoted by BTA.
In Bulgaria, these tests cost about 100 levs (600-700 Turkish lira), but in Turkey they cost only 170 lira (about 22 levs).
“We are seeing strong interest from Bulgarian citizens in PCR tests after January 20, because they are cheaper here,” said Bulent Hamza, chief physician at a local private hospital.
In recent months, Bulgarians have traveled en masse to Edirne for a market. Recently, however, the Bulgarian government made it mandatory for citizens to present a negative test result when entering the country, due to which the number of Bulgarians visiting Edirne decreased, the publication recalls.
Local authorities are optimistic that the relatively cheap PCR tests offered in Edirne will attract more visitors from Bulgaria.
The test results come out in an hour and a half and are very reliable, Hamza said, noting that in healthcare institutions it can take up to 10 hours.
Bulgarian citizens first go to the market, then stop at one of the testing centers in Edirne before heading back to Bulgaria.
“Tests are expensive in Bulgaria. I have received four doses (of vaccines against KOVID-19), but the Bulgarian authorities still require a PCR test to enter the country. That’s why I’m doing a test here,” said Emin Tundja, who traveled from Bulgaria. for Edirne.
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