Tourism minister: Travelers that took ‘known vaccines’ won’t need blood test

13 July 2021, 7:12 pm

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Medical technicians test passengers for COVID-19 at the Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on July 12, 2021. (Flash90)

Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov says that Israel’s future reopening to tourists will draw a distinction between certain COVID vaccines.

Razvozov tells Kan radio that tourists will be divided into those with “vaccines known to Israel,” including Pfizer and Moderna, and those from countries who offer other coronavirus vaccines, such as China and Russia.

Tourists vaccinated with a “known” vaccine will be allowed to enter with just a negative PCR test, while others will require a blood test to determine antibodies, suggests the minister.

Last month, Israel delayed a plan to reopen to vaccinated tourists from July 1 to August 1. The new target date could be further delayed by the coronavirus cabinet. Razvozov’s proposal has yet to be approved by the cabinet.