The Israeli Health Ministry has announced that foreigners who have been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 will be allowed into Israel from May 23. The ministry specified that the ease on entry procedures would start with organized groups of vaccinated foreigners, followed by individual travelers, which could be as soon as July. Limits will be placed on the number of tourists who will be able to enter the country each day.
Individuals who want to visit Israel will have to undergo a PCR Covid-19 test before their flight, and another PCR and a serological test when they arrive in Ben Gurion Airport to check that they have either been vaccinated or have had the virus.
Israel is the first vaccinated state, and the citizens of Israel are the first to enjoy it
Yuli Edelstein, Israel’s Health Minister
This will be the first time since Israel entered its first lockdown in March last year, that non-residents – with a few exceptions – will be allowed into the country. The decision comes as the rates of contagion cases in the country continue to go down.
After we have opened up the economy, it is time to carefully and thoughtfully facilitate tourism
Yuli Edelstein
Israel has deployed one of the fastest and vaccination programs in the world. In the last two weeks, 95 percent of the country has been green. Also in May, Royal Caribbean will be offering cruises to the Greek Isles and Cyprus from Haifa, with fully vaccinated crew and passengers.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Israel, travelers arriving in Israel must present a negative PCR test within 72 hours of their flight or have proof of vaccination. They must also quarantine upon arrival for at least 10 days. “The opening of tourism is an important line for one of the industries that was particularly damaged in the year of coronavirus. We will continue to examine the relief at all times in accordance with the morbidity data.”
Shops and restaurants are already open for business. From April 19th, schools will fully reopen, and Israelis will no longer be required to wear a mask outdoors as of April 20th.
