Green Pass

February 17, 2022, 3:05 pm

Ministers agree to scrap Green Pass from March 1, as PM says virus wave ‘breaking’

Bennett says time is right to ease COVID restrictions as number of seriously ill patients drops below 900; ministers to meet on travel regulations

By TOI staff

Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, on January 4, 2022. (Arie Leib Abrams/ Flash90)

February 16, 2022, 11:24 pm

Health Ministry recommends easing more COVID airport restrictions

If approved, new measures will ease requirements for international travel, cancel Green Pass rules for events; Bennett reportedly favors removing most rules

By TOI staff

An Illustration of the 'Green Pass' vaccine certification on October 4, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

February 7, 2022, 1:00 am

Green Pass COVID restrictions rolled back as case count falls

Israelis no longer have to flash pass at restaurants, movie theaters, gyms and hotels, but will still have to at events and dance clubs, even as serious cases continue to climb

By TOI staff

Ziv medical staff wear safety gear as they work in a coronavirus ward of the hospital in Safed, on February 1, 2022. (David Cohen/Flash90)

February 6, 2022, 11:55 am

Israel’s 1,263 serious COVID cases break new record, even as transmission rate ebbs

Serious illness much more likely for unvaccinated; coronavirus czar says Omicron-fueled wave not over yet; positive test rate of 28.79% highest since start of pandemic

By TOI staff

February 5, 2022, 10:01 pm

Israel’s serious COVID-19 cases hit all-time high of 1,229

Interior Minister Shaked tests positive for virus; WHO official says new Omicron subvariant BA.2 is three times as infectious as original Omicron strain

By TOI staff

A man displays the Green Pass on his cellphone in Jerusalem, October 4, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

February 4, 2022, 7:51 pm

Cabinet passes rollback of Green Pass COVID restrictions amid drop in case count

Starting on Monday, Israelis will no longer have to flash Green Passes at restaurants, movie theaters, gyms and hotels, but will still have to do so at event halls and dance clubs

By TOI staff

A woman shows her 'Green Pass' as she arrives at a theater in Jerusalem, on February 23, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

February 1, 2022, 8:45 pm

COVID cabinet votes to narrow usage of ‘Green Pass’ system

Vaccine requirement will remain in effect only for weddings, clubs and large parties; Bennett cites data showing immunization helps ward off effects of PIMS in older kids

By Amy Spiro

Medical staff wearing safety gear as they work in the coronavirus ward of Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem on January 20, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

February 1, 2022, 11:12 am

Serious COVID cases show signs of drop-off as Omicron wave ebbs

Turnaround marks first time figure has fallen since the beginning of the year; daily caseload, deaths also down; ministers to meet on abolishing Green Pass rules

By Stuart Winer

January 30, 2022, 2:26 pm

Cabinet extends Green Pass rules for another week as fifth wave begins to wane

COVID-19 reproduction number dips below 1 for first time since November, but PM warns against premature celebration of end to Omicron outbreak

By Stuart Winer

January 23, 2022, 11:35 pm

Health Ministry experts recommend scrapping Green Pass

Panel says Omicron’s high transmissibility makes certificate irrelevant, add that negative tests are now far better measure to increase safety indoors

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks during a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on January 2, 2022. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

January 2, 2022, 10:33 pm

Bennett announces approval of 4th vaccine doses for over-60s, medical workers

PM says travel restrictions likely to be lifted in coming week; ministers okay temporary Green Pass for anyone who gets 1st vaccine shot

By TOI staff

People at a shopping mall in Jerusalem on December 16, 2021 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

December 27, 2021, 6:47 am

New limitations on shopping, schools take force as Omicron spreads

Rules effective for 9 days limit crowding at malls, allow only Green Pass holders to enter larger stores; some schools in high-infection areas to hold distance learning

By TOI staff

Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz speaks during a press conference at a Maccabi vaccine center for children in Tel Aviv on November 23, 2021. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

December 26, 2021, 11:03 pm

Israel could lift curbs on international travel next week — health minister

Horowitz says closing skies pointless when Omicron is rapidly spreading; quarantine may be nixed for vaccinated, as current rules expected to lead to ‘effective lockdown’

By Michael Bachner

People at the Hadar Mall in Jerusalem on December 16, 2021 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

December 22, 2021, 4:10 am

Full text: New COVID rules at schools and malls approved by ministers

In bid to curb rapidly spreading Omicron variant, cabinet advances new restrictions on shopping centers and educational facilities

By TOI staff

Israelis wear face masks in the Dizengoff Center mall, Tel Aviv, September 13, 2021. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

December 20, 2021, 11:32 pm

Health officials push more COVID restrictions in meeting that ends with no decision

Debate deals with proposals to re-enact curbs on large gatherings, expand Green Pass to entire commerce sector; premier said pushing to bar unvaccinated kids from schools

By TOI staff