Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett today announced that Israel will soon begin welcoming foreign tourists of all ages, regardless of their vaccination status, according to The Jerusalem Post.
International travelers will still be required to produce a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their departure for Israel, plus a second PCR test upon arrival. The policy change will reportedly take effect on March 1.
The rules change will also end the current isolation protocols that apply to unvaccinated Israeli citizens re-entering the country, provided they produce a negative PCR test upon arrival. The amended rules will also allow Israelis to forego antigen or PCR testing prior to boarding their flight, requiring only a PCR test upon arrival in Israel.
The decision was made public after the close of a meeting between Bennett, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov and others, during which officials conferred upon a framework for easing COVID-19 restrictions.
“We are seeing a constant decline in the morbidity data, so it is time to gradually open up that which we were the first in the world to close,” Bennett said during Sunday’s meeting. “In order to maintain the public’s trust and ensure that the citizens of Israel follow the guidelines and the decisions that the government makes, it is necessary to open up when the situation improves, and it has improved significantly.”
Source : Travel Pulse
