BREAKING: Israel to Remove Two Covid-19 Restrictions for Travelers

Beginning on May 20, visitors to Israel will no longer be required to take a PCR test upon landing in Israel

By Nosson Shulman: Licensed Tour Guide of VIP Israel Tours & Authentic Virtual Tours (click here to check out his free trailer videos)

In a stunning development, the Ministry of Health, in conjunction with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, declared that starting on May 20, tourists landing in Ben Gurion airport will no longer be required to take a PCR Test before entering the Jewish State. This decision was made in light of the decline in morbidity data, although the ministry of health will maintain the suitability of the testing system at the airport in order to allow it to be re-activated, should it be necessary, either partially or fully.

Additionally, beginning on Tuesday May 10, tourists will be able to take an antigen test in lieu of a PCR Test prior to boarding their flight to Israel. If one chooses the antigen option, they are required to take it within 24 hours of the flight (as opposed to the PCR Test which can be taken within 72 hours of the flight).

This announcement comes just after Israel recently removed the indoor mask mandate at most places of interest to tourists including malls, museums, stores, restaurants, leisure centers and hotels. Of course, people visiting these sites can still certainly choose to wear a mask if they would like to. However, on the airplane (and possibly at the airport as well) masks are still mandatory at this point. On March 1, Israel removed the green passport mandate (vaccination status) as a requirement to enter the country, meaning almost everyone can enter (although anyone who currently has Covid 19 will not be allowed to board).

At this time, there is still a requirement to fill out an entry statement online within 48 hours of your flight. To fill out this form, click here.

Disclaimer:

The author of this article is not an attorney, and this article should not be construed as legal advice or an authoritative source. This article is for informational purposes only and should never be relied upon. The author takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of this article. It is highly recommended (and the sole responsibility) for anyone wanting to enter Israel to do their due diligence and independently verify that they are indeed qualified to enter the country, and to ensure that they have the appropriate documents to successfully do so.

Nosson Shulman is a journalist and Licensed Tour Guide in Israel specializing in Biblical tours. To allow tourists to experience Israel during the Corona era, he created the new hit Israel tour video series which brings Israel to the home of viewers by simulating actual tours. To check out his free sneak preview tour videos, click here. To view sample tour itineraries or to inquire about private tour opportunities with a personalized itinerary on your next trip to Israel, click here.