Health Ministry says it’s working on plan to reopen Israel to tourists

Health Ministry Director General Chezy Levy confirms the government is formulating a plan to permit entry to tourists into the country, after a months-long ban.

“We are currently in discussions on how to open the skies to tourists, under conditions that are suited to life in the shadow of the coronavirus. This hasn’t been completed,” he says.

Asked when non-Israelis will be allowed back into the country, the Health Ministry’s Asher Salmon, of its international department, says the process of allowing tourists into the country will be gradual, to avoid an outbreak.

“The goal is to learn lessons [from the past] and carefully reopen the tourism industry,” he tells reporters.

As of this week, Israelis from “green” countries, with low infection rates, and who haven’t been elsewhere in 14 days, can now enter the country without quarantine or tests. The lists of “green countries” will be updated every two weeks, says Levy.

Deputy Director General Itamar Grotto adds that Israelis should consult with the Health Ministry website on their destination countries’ health policies.

Before the flight, travelers will need to fill out a health form. If the destination state requires a check-up, that can be conducted some 48 hours in advance, he says. And only ticket-holders will be permitted into Ben Gurion Airport, says Grotto.

Grotto says the policy on quarantine applies to the day of departure, such that Israelis who visit countries classified as “green” whose infection rates soar during their visit still won’t need to self-isolate upon their return.