Live Update
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Israel to begin requiring travelers to pay for mandatory COVID tests
The Health Ministry announces that starting June 1, travelers entering Israel will have to pay for their mandatory coronavirus tests, which until now have been funded by the state.
It says the tests will cost NIS 80 ($25) a pop if scheduled before flying and NIS 100 ($30) for travelers who don’t sign up until until they land at Ben Gurion Airport. The price at land crossings will be NIS 100 each.
The ministry also says Israelis will now have to pick up the tab for their own coronavirus tests when they travel abroad.

Medical technicians test passengers for the coronavirus at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, on March 8, 2021. (Flash90)