Israel
Israel to allow unvaccinated travellers to enter from March 1st
Move comes as Omicron wave recedes
February 18, 2022 11:01
Move comes as Omicron wave recedes
February 18, 2022 11:01The Israeli government has announced the easing of restrictions on travellers to the country as its wave of infections driven by the Omicron variant continues to recede.
Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz and senior officials have recommended that regulations imposed following the start of Israel’s fifth wave be lifted.
These include the ‘green pass’, a digital vaccination passport that limited access to indoor events, and the quarantine requirement for Israeli travelers returning from abroad.
If the proposals are accepted, all tests on flights back to Israel will be removed, and all arrivals will only need to complete one single PCR test on arrival. The green pass will be dropped on March 1st.
Foreign children under the age of 12 who are accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent will be allowed to enter the country and isolate until they receive a negative test result.
Foreign visitors will need to take a PCR test in their country of origin, as well as one in Israel. Israeli passport holders will only need to take a test on arrival into the country.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is set to hold a meeting to rule on the recommendations, but is thought to favour lifting most restrictions, the Times of Israel reported.
The Omicron wave of Covid-19 in Israel has continued to recede in the past few weeks.
The number of patients in a serious condition is down to 927, according to data released by the country’s health ministry on Wednesday morning.
20,340 new cases were reported on Tuesday compared to a record 85,185 infections in a day in January at the height of the wave.
Sharon Ehrlich Bershadsky, Director of Israel's tourist office in London said: "We are extremely happy with this news on the expected relaxations in all Omicron restrictions.
“Travelling as a family has been hard to navigate over the past couple of years and we hope that soon the process will be even easier for tourists looking to come and enjoy the abundant experiences Israel has to offer, or for those looking to reunite with loved ones."