Israel has decided to open its gates to all tourists of all ages, regardless of vaccination status, beginning on March 1, it was announced Sunday by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and health Minister Nitzan Horowitz.
Participating in their discussion were the Health Ministry Director General, the national coronavirus project manager, the Director of the Public Health Service, the Deputy Director of the National Security Council, the Finance Ministry Accountant General, the Defense Ministry Director of Civil Defense and additional Finance, Tourism and Education ministry professionals.
“We are seeing a consistent decline in morbidity data so it is time to gradually open what we were the first in the world to close,” Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in making the announcement.
“Our indicators must be in sync with the situation on the ground; what we are telling the public must be in sync with what is expected of it.
“In order to maintain the public’s trust and be certain that the citizens of Israel are implementing the directives and the government’s decision, we must open up as the situation improves – and it is improving significantly.
“At the moment, the situation in Israel is good,” Bennett continued. “This is the result of correct and dynamic management; therefore, we are now opening up.
“At the same time, we will continue to closely monitor the situation and in the event of a new variant, we will again act quickly,” he added.
Israel saw the lowest number of daily COVID-19 cases in six weeks diagnosed this weekend; the number of patients hospitalized with the virus has dropped significantly as well, the Health Ministry said.
Non-citizens traveling to Israel will be required to perform a PCR test prior to departure, in addition to a second PCR test upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport.
Israeli citizens will only be required to undergo a post-flight PCR test upon their arrival – even those who are unvaccinated.
No quarantine will be required, if the post-flight test comes up negative.
