Flights from London to Israel will be authorised from today under the Israeli government’s latest easing of lockdown restrictions. 

Only Israeli citizens will be allowed to enter the country on the newly-sanctioned flights, which also include routes from New York, Kiev, Toronto, Paris and Hong Kong.

As previously announced, up to 1,000 Israelis will be allowed to enter the country by air each day, a number expected to rise to 3,000.

A twice-weekly border crossing with Jordan will also open.

The government also axed the requirement for returning travellers to quarantine in state-sanctioned hotels, with returning citizens now permitted to self-isolate at home.

Authorities are additionally trialling electronic bracelets for returning passengers and police presence has been increased to reinforce the new laws.

The Times of Israel reported that Israel’s Covid chief Dr Nachman Ash was concerned about the change, warning of the “need for self-control. We don’t have enough enforcement and there is more than a little danger that mutations will enter the country.”

Restaurants, event halls and some schools are also set to open under the new regulations, which will apply until March 20.

Up to 20 people will be permitted to gather indoors and 50 outdoors.

“Green passport” holders—those who have been fully vaccinated or have presumed immunity—will be able to sit indoors at restaurants in limited capacity. Those without green passports will be allowed to dine outdoors.

Places of worship can hold services with a controlled attendance. For event halls, guest lists are capped at 50 per cent capacity, or 300 green passport holders and a small provision for those not fully vaccinated.

Some pupils in grades 7-10 will return to in-person lessons on several days per week. Green passport holders in higher education are permitted to return to the classroom.