Israel reopens to unvaccinated tourists

Israel is now open to unvaccinated tourists.

After nearly two years of tight restrictions on travel to Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, along with the Ministry of Health, made the announcement on Sunday. Beginning March 1 foreign residents will be allowed into Israel regardless of whether they are vaccinated against Covid-19. The news is expected to cause a dramatic increase in travel in 2022 as long-delayed tours resume.

One tour that had already been planned for March is organized by the publishers of this website. The Heartland to Holy Land Tour had been scheduled for 2020 but was delayed twice.

Every incoming foreign traveler will be required to get a PCR test before takeoff and after landing. Only those with a negative result before takeoff will be permitted to proceed to Israel. Those requirements could also come under review by March 1 when additional guidance is expected.

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Israeli citizens will no longer have to undergo an antigen test before leaving the country. They will be required only to take a PCR test at Ben-Gurion International Airport upon arriving back home.

This very welcome news for tourists and the tourism industry in Israel was announced by Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz after consultation with Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov and members of the coronavirus advisory committee on February 20.

“We are seeing a steady decline in the morbidity data; therefore, this is the time to gradually open what we were the first in the world to close,” Bennett said, referring to Israel’s world-leading decision to shut down all border crossings to foreign travel on March 18, 2020 to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“At the moment, the situation in Israel is good,” Bennett added. “At the same time, we will continue to closely monitor the situation and in the event of a new variant, we will again act quickly.”

Metrovoicenews.com, in conjunction with VisionIsrael.com announced in January a tour for young adults scheduled for July 2-12, 2022.

–Metro Voice Staff