After long weeks in which it was very difficult to find a destination to which you can fly without restrictions, and after all those returning from abroad were required to be isolated, along with a ban on tourists entering Israel - yesterday it was decided to change procedures and significantly ease restrictions on Ben Gurion Airport.
The Ministry of Health has decided to recommend abolishing the isolation obligation for three days for Israelis returning from orange countries.
To date, anyone vaccinated or recovering as defined by the Ministry of Health who has returned from an orange state has been charged with isolation for three days, subject to two corona tests.
Now, the isolation that vaccinated and recovering people who have to return from orange countries will have to enter is for a maximum of 24 hours, or until the results of the corona tests performed after landing at Ben Gurion Airport (whichever is earlier) are received.
Those who are not vaccinated or recovering will still be required to go in for seven days of isolation subject to two corona tests, or 14 days without the second test, even if they returned from an orange state or if they returned from a red state.
Vaccinated or recovering returned from a red state must also be in complete isolation.
The latest list of red countries recommended by the Ministry of Health, which still needs to pass government approval, includes the US, Turkey, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mexico, UK, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. Of the 5% of all entrants, which automatically puts them on the list of red countries. From the list of red countries: France, Spain, Portugal and Canada.
Meanwhile, as of January 9, tourists who are vaccinated according to the requirements of the Ministry of Health will be able to enter Israel without the need for isolation, and similar to the conditions of Israelis returning from an orange country.
In this case, too, the decision is subject to the approval of the government, which will discuss the issue in the coming days.
It is important to note that there are few cases in which the government does not approve the recommendations of the Ministry of Health in this area.
Tourists against restrictions
The Association of Travel Agencies, the Open Sky Headquarters and the Hotels Association have filed a petition with the High Court to repeal the restrictions on pilots. The state lifted most of the restrictions yesterday, but left eight significant states on the red list. The Red States The person who will support the petitioners' position is Prof. Itamar Grotto, who is expected to be present at the hearing.
Tourism Minister Yoel Rezbozov, who in recent weeks has supported the facilitation of bringing foreign tourists to Israel, said yesterday: "The abolition of isolation for vaccinated people returning from abroad and returning tourism to vaccinated people is the right and just thing during this period.
I thank my colleagues in the government, who understood the plight of the tourism industry and agreed with me that the harm outweighs the benefit.
The vaccine is the best response to the epidemic, and as such - it comes to the vaccinated public to lead an enabling life routine alongside the corona. "
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