coronavirus testing

Medical technicians test passengers for COVID-19 at the Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on March 8, 2021. (Flash90)

April 6, 2021, 12:44 am

Ministers extend COVID test requirement for travelers entering Israel

Until at least May 4, incoming visitors need to present a negative test result from within 72 hours of their scheduled entry

By TOI staff

Actress Shira Haas during the filming of the third season of 'Shtisel,' which is coming to Netflix on March 25, 2021 (Courtesy Vered Adir)

April 4, 2021, 2:22 pm

Daily Briefing Apr. 4 – Filming ‘Shtisel’ during COVID: A behind-the-scenes peek

Tune in Sunday through Thursday to hear ToI editors and reporters quickly catch you up on what’s important today

By TOI staff

Illustrative: A girl takes a COVID-19 test. (ChiccoDodiFC via iStock)

March 31, 2021, 12:59 pm

Super-speedy Israeli COVID test gets European approval; airport rollout planned

SpectraLIT eliminates the need for complex lab equipment by giving relatively accurate results after just 20 seconds of analysis, possibly aiding resumption of international travel

By Nathan Jeffay

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a news conference at his office, March 24, 2021, in New York. (Brendan McDermid/Pool Photo via AP)

March 25, 2021, 10:31 am

Cuomo relatives had priority COVID-19 testing at start of pandemic – reports

Outlets say those with ties to NY governor received preferential access to tests in March 2020; state troopers allegedly used to help transport samples

By TOI staff and AP

Bezeq workers installing fiber optic cables. (Courtesy)

March 23, 2021, 12:57 am

Bezeq subsidiaries warn unvaccinated workers will be sent home without pay — TV

Report says telcom firms tell employees they cannot come into office after Passover if they haven’t received vaccine or don’t present a negative COVID test

By TOI staff

Sisters Shuruq Jubran (R) and Amna Kahwaji who died of coronavirus complications within weeks of each other in March 2021. (Courtesy)

March 16, 2021, 12:29 pm

Sisters, aged 23 and 31, die of COVID 10 days apart after giving birth

Health official urges all pregnant women to get vaccinated after double tragedy; overall coronavirus figures continue to decline, with just 602 people in serious condition

By TOI staff

Illustrative: A medical worker of the National Health Organisation (EODY) conducts a rapid test for the coronavirus in Athens, Greece, on February 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

March 14, 2021, 8:45 pm

Businesses set to offer rapid virus tests to the unvaccinated

Program to begin March 21, allowing unvaccinated to participate in Green Pass activities; COVID czar says no extra restrictions over Passover; nightclubs to reopen

By TOI staff

March 10, 2021, 2:07 pm

Podcast: Daily Briefing Mar. 10 – 2 weeks to elections, it’s wash, rinse, repeat

Tune in Sunday through Thursday to hear ToI editors and reporters quickly catch you up on what’s important today

By TOI staff

A woman shows her 'Green Pass' before entering a concert for vaccinated seniors, organized by the municipality of Tel Aviv, on February 24, 2021. (JACK GUEZ / AFP)

March 9, 2021, 5:10 pm

Rapid tests at entrance to events to be ready in 2 weeks, health official says

But Sharon Alroy-Preis warns that overreliance on speedy examinations for those without ‘Green Pass’ could overwhelm system and slow response times

By TOI staff

Medical technicians test passengers for COVID-19 at the Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on March 8, 2021 (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

March 9, 2021, 8:34 am

El Al trials rapid COVID testing for passengers prior to flight

Airline uses quick antigen test that gives results in 15-20 minutes; testing only required of the unvaccinated, mainly children

By TOI staff

Israeli Green Pass holders enjoy singer Ivri Lieder at a concert organized by the Tel Aviv municipality, at Bloomfield Stadium, March 5, 2021. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

March 7, 2021, 9:45 pm

Government said reluctant to finance rapid virus tests for vaccine refusers

Quick tests could soon be used by those without a COVID-19 Green Pass; Health Ministry official: ‘Whoever doesn’t want to get vaccinated will have to pay for the tests themselves’

By TOI staff

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh at a press conference in Ramallah, February 27, 2021 (WAFA)

February 27, 2021, 7:24 pm

PA to close schools, partially lock down West Bank as cases double in two weeks

Health officials had recommended a full, two-week lockdown; 24% of tests come back positive Saturday PA PM says major vaccine shipment due in early March

By Aaron Boxerman

Palestinian health workers at a hospital in the West Bank town of Nablus, where health workers were vaccinated against the coronavirus after the delivery of vaccine doses from Israel. February 03, 2021 (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90)

February 25, 2021, 10:21 pm

West Bank hospitals under stress as 3rd coronavirus wave hits Palestinians hard

Congestion in ICUs reaches new heights, according to PA Health Minister Mai al-Kaila; 25%-30% of tests in Bethlehem coming back positive, says PA health official

By Aaron Boxerman

A traveler approaches a medic to be sampled while testing for the COVID-19 coronavirus disease, upon arrival at the rapid testing center in Ben-Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv, on January 24, 2021. (JACK GUEZ / AFP)

February 24, 2021, 5:10 pm

Israel checking claims passengers boarded El Al flight with fake virus tests

Traveler alleges she heard group of ultra-Orthodox men saying they had not been tested before getting on plane; 11 on board later diagnosed with COVID

By TOI staff

Police at a temporary roadblock in Jerusalem during a 3rd nationwide lockdown, in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, on January 19, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

January 23, 2021, 9:07 am

Israel expected to raise COVID fines, place fresh limits on air travel

TV report: Travelers to country will need negative test before flying; HMOs set to begin vaccinating 16-18-year-olds, so that matriculation exams can go ahead

By TOI staff