Good news. Today, the Israeli Government published the protocol for the resumption of foreign tourism to Israel, as of November 1, 2021. Restrictions will apply, but this is a positive start after more than a year and a half without any foreign tourism.
The bottom line is that Israel will allow those who have been fully vaccinated within 180 days of their departure from our country to enter. If you received your vaccination earlier than that time period, a booster vaccination will be required in order to enter Israel.
As so many other countries around the world require, Israel, too, requires that all those entering the country present the negative results of a PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. In addition, all those entering the country (both Israel citizens and tourists) must submit to a second PCR test upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport.
As of November 1, 2021, the criteria for entering Israel are as follows - you must meet ONE of these conditions in order to enter Israel:
Vaccinated within 180 days of the trip with either a second vaccine or a booster and it must be at least 14 days after the shot; OR
Recovered within 180 days of the trip with DIGITAL proof of a positive PCR result and more than 11 days have passed since the positive result. This type of proof currently only exists in the European Union.; OR
Recovered anytime – even more than 180 days before the trip - with DIGITAL proof of positive PCR result AND vaccinated with at least one dose within 180 days of the trip. Again at the moment the digital proof only exists in the EU.
Your vaccination or recovery CANNOT expire while in Israel, which means you may not be in Israel more than 180 days after your vaccine or recovery have expired.
If you were vaccinated or recovered more than six months ago, have non digital recovery documentation (everyone outside of the EU) or were never vaccinated or recovered, you will not be allowed to enter Israel at this time.
Process to enter Israel:
You will gain entry into Israel via the Israel Health Ministry Declaration Form: 48-hours before your flight. Once you file this form properly, within minutes you will receive an email from “Do Not Reply-MOH,” which is the record you need to show at the airport. Your green pass will be included. If your vaccination certificate is not digitally validated in Israel, it could take longer to receive this email.
You need a negative PCR test from within 72 hours prior to takeoff.
You must have your negative PCR test and a copy of the 48-hour Entry Declaration Form to board a plane to Israel. These are the only documents you need.
Protocol for Arrival in Israel:
You need to take a PCR test upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport.
You may isolate in a hotel until the results of this PCR test arrive (it’s currently taking, on average, 8-12 hours for results to arrive). In any event, quarantine requirement will not exceed 24 hours.
We all will adjust to the “new normal” for international travel. I’m seeing and hearing great interest from many anxious to visit our country. And I’m confident that tourism to Israel will soon return in ever increasing numbers.
Now’s the time to start planning your trip of a lifetime for 2022. Let's talk.
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