Touring in Israel in times of Coronavirus (Covid19)
Current situation in Israel with relation to Covid19
This information is up to date to Oct 31, 2021, Israel is back to normal in 90%
Current update, Nov 28
Due to the government decision to ban all foreigners from entering Israel as part of an effort to stem the spread of the new South African “Omicron” variant, all tourism entrance will not be permitted during the next two weeks. Permits already granted for entrance as of 29/11/2021 are hereby cancelled.
Oct 31st, 2021,
The Israel Ministry of Tourism is pleased to announce the re-opening of Israel’s skies to vaccinated tourists, both individuals and groups, on November 1, 2021, within the agreed outlines, which ensures safe travel for both tourists and residents. Throughout the global corona pandemic, interest in visiting Israel has remained high and Israel’s Ministry of Tourism has worked hard to find creative solutions to facilitate the safe return of tourists. A pilot program allowing groups to enter Israel has been successful, with several thousand tourists, primarily from the USA and Europe, visiting Israel’s religious, historical, cultural and natural sites within a safe and tourist-friendly environment. From November 9, 2021, group travel will include tourists who were vaccinated more than six months prior to arrival, provided they travel in “capsules” and take PCR tests every 72 hours or daily antigen tests during their stay.
Now, as of November 1, individual vaccinated tourists wishing to enter Israel may do so, as long as they meet the same vaccination requirements that are required of Israeli nationals to receive a green pass. Here are the details of the outline (note that the definitive version is the one published in the Ministry of Health website in Hebrew):
Vaccinated Tourists Outline
28/10/2021
The Outline
- As of November 1, 2021, any foreign (vaccinated) person who meets all the cumulative conditions will be allowed to enter:
- Providing they did not stay in a red country during the 14 days before entering Israel.
- Vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the WHO or applicable, in accordance with the conditions set forth in section 3 below.
- There is no other impediment to bringing him into Israel.
- Entered Israel through Ben Gurion Airport.
- A foreigner who does not meet the above conditions will not be allowed to enter Israel through this outline, not even under full isolation conditions (For this population, the Exceptions Committees will continue operating).
- As of November 1, 2021, any foreign (vaccinated) person who meets all the cumulative conditions will be allowed to enter:
The vaccines approved in this outline:
2.1 Moderna
2.2 Pfizer
2.3 Johnson & Johnson – Janssen
2.4 AstraZeneca
2.5 Covishield
2.6 Sinopharm
2.7 Sinovac
2.8 SputniK-V, Following the reservations set forth in Section 3.4 below.
Vaccination and recovery protocol approved by the Ministry of Health
3.1 Foreigners vaccinated with Pfizer / Moderna / AstraZeneca / Sinovac or Sinopharm:
3.1.1. Received two vaccine shots; 14 days or more passed since their second vaccine upon entry to Israel (but no more than 180 days upon leaving Israel).
3.1.2. Received the booster vaccine dose; 14 days or more passed since their booster shot upon entry to Israel.
3.2 Foreigners vaccinated with Janssen’s vaccine:
3.2.1. 14 days or more passed since the vaccination date upon entry to Israel (but no more than 180 days upon leaving Israel).
3.2.2. Received a booster dose, and 14 days or more passed since their booster shot upon entry to Israel.
3.3 Foreigners presenting a reference that the Israeli MOH systems can digitally authenticate,[1] to a positive result in a NAAT (Molecular test resembling PCR)
3.3.1. 11 days or more have passed since the test upon entry to Israel (but no more than 190 days upon leaving Israel).
3.3.2 Received in addition at least one dose of the vaccines approved by the WHO (in this case, time span and sequence of events is inconsequential)
3.4. Foreigners vaccinated with Sputnik, as of 15.11.21, and subject to a positive Serologist test result in Israel (will remain in isolation until a positive result is obtained).
3.4.1. Received two vaccine shots, and 14 days or more passed since their second shot upon entry to Israel (but no more than 180 days upon leaving Israel).
3.4.2. Received the booster vaccine dose, and 14 days or more passed since their booster shot upon entry to Israel.
The process of entering Israel:
4.1. Perform a PCR test up to 72 hours before an outbound flight.
4.2. Filling out a passenger declaration before entering Israel:
4.2.1. Passengers with a verifiable digital certificate will scan or upload their immunization or recovery certificate to the incoming passenger form and receive a green pass before boarding the plane.
4.2.2. Passengers who do not have a verifiable digital certificate will declare their vaccination status in the incoming passenger form and fill out an application to shorten the isolation period. Then, they will attach the relevant documents to receive a green pass before boarding the plane.
4.3. Boarding conditions:
4.3.1. Presenting documentation to a negative PCR test result performed up to 72 hours before the flight.
4.3.2. Presenting proof of filling the incoming passenger declaration.
4.3.3.1. Certificate of immunization attesting to the performance of vaccinations in accordance with the provisions of section 3 above.
4.3.3.2. Certificate of recovery, the Israeli MOH systems can digitally authenticate, indicating a recovery in accordance with the provisions of section 3 above.
4.3.3.3. Exceptional entry permit from the Israeli Ministry of the Interior (Exceptions’ Outline, Groups)
4.4. Conducting random document compliance check-ups by the Population Authority at Ben Gurion Airport.
4.5. Performing a PCR test upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport; remaining in isolation until a negative result is obtained, or 24 hours, whichever earlier.
4.6. For those vaccinated with Sputnik vaccines only – performing a serological test at Ben Gurion Airport; isolation until a positive test result is obtained (In addition to isolation until a negative result is obtained for the PCR test taken upon landing).
Events and Responses:
| Event | Response | |
| 1 | A foreigner in transit who does not comply with the threshold conditions | His entry to Israel will be denied, and he will be returned to his country of origin. |
| 2 | A foreigner who was tested positive to COVID-19 during his stay in Israel | Will be transferred to a hospital-hotel at the responsibility of the Home Front Command; medical treatment is at the expense of the foreigner, under his insurance policy. |
| 3 | A person who received the Sputnik vaccine, but his serological test result is negative | He will be allowed to remain in Israel, subject to complete isolation (14 days, with an option to shorten the time to 7 days), but may return to his country during the isolation period. |
| 4 | A foreigner presenting a forged document | Entry to Israel is denied for a period of 5 years. |
| 5 | A foreigner who is positive to COVID-19 but refuses to vacate to a motel or violates isolation rules | Entry to Israel is denied for a period of 5 years. |
| 6 | A foreigner who was not found positive to COVID-19 but still violates isolation rules | Entry to Israel is denied for a period of 3 years. |
[1] For the list of countries that issue certificates that the Israeli MOH systems can digitally authenticate: https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/safe-covid-19-vaccines-europeans/eu-digital-covid-certificate_en
Israel was the first country to launch a fast national vaccination program and as of the end of July 66.5% of total population is vaccinated. Children from age 12-15 started getting vaccine on June 2021.
Delta variant is now more resistant fo the vaccine and we see more and more vaccinated people testing positive to covid 19; therefore, Israel is taking it’s time before opening its skies for incoming tourism. Now only vaccinated groups of 5-30 people can apply through Israeli Guide ltd to get a travel permission in Israel.
Government announced that on August 1st 2021 smaller groups will be able to enter Israel- contact us for more information if you are vaccinated and interested in traveling to Israel.
Starting from May 23rd passengers who recovered from COVID19 or were vaccinated can travel to Israel. They must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result to airline staff. The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to the sceduled departure to Israel.
For latest health news in Israel
The greatest news are that Israel started vaccination of general population.
As of April 18th, 61.7% of the population all ready got the first dose of Pfizer (53% of the population got the second dose). vaccinating is now available for any age group from 16 years old.
As the concern of the new highly infection mutation increases Israel decides to close it’s borders and only allow humanitarian returning flights for Israelis in. Starting from May 23rd Israel will allow in passengers who recovered from COVID19 or were vaccinated. They will need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result to airline staff.
Updates on current limitations can be seen here
It appears like Israel was one of the first countries to experience the “second waves” of covid19 and the first one to go out of it, as a result of the strict lockdown.
Many countries in Europe are now experiencing increase number of cases and are imposing more and more limitation and maybe a total lockdown is ahead.
You can clearly see on the diagram how number of cases in Israel is dropping down as a result of the strict lockdown. For the past 2 weeks kindergartens are open and elementary schools are about to be open on Nov 1. We now understand that the opening after the first lockdown was too fast and 2 weeks period of time should be between every step of removing limitations. In the next month we will see if numbers of cases will raise as a result of opening schools and if so, limitations will take place once again.
From tourism perspective: Israeli ministry of tourism along with the representative of the tourism companies put together a protocol for reopening tourism in Israel. This protocol is on hold and the minute it will approve we will share it and guide passengers who wish to visit Israel. As per Nov 1st unfortunately entering to Israel for tourism is not easy and most arrivals will be submitted to quarantine of 14 days: Inbound passenger clearance
Encouraging news from around the world regarding the advance stages of the vaccine put Israel as one of the first countries in line to get it and we are expected to get it in the next 6 months. Israel also have its own vaccine development and that makes as very proud! More about the Israeli vaccine you can read here, but we can tell you that Nov 1st is the beginning of human experiments (stage 1) and its du to be completed in July 2021.
introduction
On March 10th, while having 50 cases of Coronavirus, Israeli government order a quarantine of 14 days to all passengers entering Israel. This regulation, basically shot down the country’s borders and isolated the country from the rest of the world.
This act as dramatic it was, led to the result that during the next two months Israeli hospitals were able to give good care to the infected patients and to keep the numbers of infected people low.
By the end of May all education system returned as well as all working places, national parks and public transportation.
During June Israel is back to normal in about 65%. That means that most business, schools, beaches, parks, hotels, restaurants are open and the only limitations we have are regarding gatherings. Gathering of more than 50 people in closed places is forbidden.
All people must cover their mouth and nose using masks and keep a social distance of 2 meters apart.
Since during May and June the public was not under lock down anymore a natural increase in cases of Covid 19 started appearing in more places. nevertheless the number of patients that are under the support of breathing machine remains very low and most infected people are at their homes.
On august number of new confirmed cases raised from around 700 per day at the beginning of the month to 2000 per day at the end of the month. The increase in the number of new cases led the movement to decide on new measures and restrictions. Nevertheless the numbers kept increasing especially with the pupils going back to school on Sep 1st. at the end of Sep number of new confirmed cases reached 8000 per day, unfortunately one the highest in the world in relation to the size of the population.
This dramatic increase in the number of new cases resulted increase in the number of severe cases and deaths (until Oct 6 – 895 severe cases and 1771 deaths total).
During the Jewish holidays mid Sep the Israeli government declared on more restrictions, limitations and practically a second Lockdown.
When this lockdown will be over we are offering a private live zoom tours in Israel that enables you to travel with a professional Israeli tour guide in Jerusalem or any other site in real time online.
Is it possible or safe to tour Israel today?
As mentioned earlier- Israeli regulations allow free movement as long as you obey the 2 rules (masks, social distance).
Nevertheless at the moment (July 5th), passengers entering Israel are still obligated to have a place where they can quarantine themselves for 14 day before being able to go out and tour.
If passengers are interested in arriving to Israel and they are able to find a way to arrive, as air tickets are very limited and not from all destinations. We are willing to help them find a place of quarantine for 14 days in symbolic cost.
Israeli Guide ltd follows all the regulation and instructions given by the Israeli health authorities, assuring our clients an enjoyable tour in Israel with minimizing the risks of being effected by the virus.
How do we minimize the risks?
- On our tour packages we will book you accommodation that will guarantee your health safety. Hotels that have received Government approval that they follow strict health rule.
- To clients that wish we can provide an ideal accommodation for the situation, an independent apartment at any location in Israel. This way there will be almost 0 contact with other people like in hotels.
- Excursions are private and take you out to the open. Combining in our tours maximum time visiting national parks and open areas we will avoid any crowd and risk.
- Our means of transportation are equipped with sanitizer gel and go through a daily disinfection.
- Our drivers and tour guides will measure body temperature on a daily base as well as the passengers
Zoom private LIVE tours
A real professional tour guide in Israel will take you on a private tour in video confrance using zoom or other app to see the holy land
