COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Israel (14 August Update)

#####Entry By Foreigner #####Yes

• Foreigners from Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Russia, Argentina, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Spain, Kyrgyzstan, United Kingdom, Georgia, Cyprus, and Turkey are not allowed to enter.

• Entry of foreign workers who have been vaccinated in Israel and hold a valid entry is permitted.

• Entry for holders of valid A1 and A5 visas is permitted.

• B1 Visa holders will be allowed to enter Israel as part of the procedure for foreign citizens wishing to live with his or her Israeli partner.

• All arrivals must have approval from the Population and Immigration Authority or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs prior to arrival in Israel. Further rules can be found here.

• Passengers with a diplomatic or an official passport are allowed to enter and must have a diplomatic or an official ID card issued by the MFA’s Protocol Department.

Vaccinated or recovered foreigners

• Citizens or permanent residents (vaccinated or recovered) living abroad, who have a first-degree relative living in Israel, may enter Israel for a visit with their spouse and children, even if they are foreign citizens.

• Vaccinated or recovered foreign nationals who have a first-degree relative living in Israel (Israeli citizen or permanent resident), may enter Israel for a visit with his or her spouse and children. All foreign nationals wishing to enter must present a valid Recovery Certificate or Vaccination Certificate (excluding children under 4 years old).

Foreigners who are unvaccinated or have not recovered from COVID-19

• A foreign national married to an Israeli citizen or permanent resident (who is not in the middle of a naturalization process) and their minor children will be allowed to enter on the condition that the marriage is registered at the Population Registry and with proof of an honest and genuine relationship.

• Other restrictions or exemptions for foreigners can be found here.

#####Entry By Resident #####Yes

• Citizens and permanent residents may enter Israel.

• Israeli residents living abroad who wish to enter Israel must register their children at the Israeli Population registry. Preliminary approval from the Population and Immigration Authority or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required before boarding an aircraft.

#####Transit Allowed #####Yes

• In general, transiting through Israeli airports is not permitted.

• Nationals and residents, passengers with a diplomatic or an official passport are exempt. However, they should have a diplomatic or an official ID card issued by the MFA’s Protocol Department.

• Passengers with entry approval from Israeli authorities are also exempt.

• If anyone is transiting to Israel, and the time between the first departure and the departure to Israel is 24 hours or more, they must take a PCR test no more than 72 hours before the scheduled time of departure to Israel.

#####Test Certificate Required #####Yes

• All inbound travellers over the age of two, must present a certificate for a negative COVID-19 PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to the departure of the flight to Israel. If access to testing is limited, travellers can petition the Exceptions Committee to be permitted to enter Israel without a PCR test, but only on the basis of humanitarian grounds or proven difficulties accessing testing.

• Passengers who arrive in Israel on a connecting flight must take a PCR test within 72 hours prior to the arrival time of the first flight if they stay abroad longer than 72 hours and the waiting time between flights does not exceed 24 hours.

• Travellers who have recovered from COVID-19 will be required to obtain a document from their doctor certifying their recovery and present this document to airport officials on arrival. These travellers are required to have a certificate of recovery on hand at all times.

#####Test On Arrival #####Yes

• All incoming international travellers will need to undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival. The test will be carried out either at the border crossing or at a government-designated quarantine facility.

• Those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or recovered from COVID-19 outside of Israel may be exempted from quarantine but only if they take a serologic test when they arrive in Israel and the test result is positive.

#####Insurance Required #####Yes

• Travellers must have adequate insurance to enter Israel. Nationals and residents are exempt from the requirement.

#####Quarantine On Arrival #####Yes

• Arrivals from a location with the highest COVID-19 risk or a location with a COVID-19 travel warning must enter isolation for 14 days even if they are vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in Israel.  The quarantine period can be shortened to 7 days if two PCR test results (tests taken on arrival and on the 7th day) are negative.

• Travellers arriving from all locations and who have not visited a location with the highest COVID-19 risk or a location with COVID-19 travel warning, even if vaccinated or recovered in Israel, must enter isolation until they receive the result of the COVID-19 test taken on arrival in Israel or isolate for 24 hours (whichever is earlier).

• The following people can be exempted from the 14-day quarantine requirement:

  • Travellers who have been vaccinated or have recovered in Israel if they do not have a travel history in a location with the highest COVID-19 risk or in  a location with a COVID-19 travel warning in the last 14 days.

  • Those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or recovered from COVID-19 outside of Israel, but only if they take a serologic test when they arrive in Israel and the test result is positive. After the test, travellers will have to submit a request to leave the isolation accommodation and provide the following documents:

    • Record of all serologic test results taken in Israel

    • Record of COVID-19 vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 outside of Israel, positive PCR, antigen or serologic test results, or a certified vaccination record

• If anyone wants to enter isolation at home or an accommodation, they must follow these instructions.

• The following travelers must enter isolation in a motel:

  • Foreign nationals who have visited a location with the highest COVID-19 risk or a COVID-19 travel warning within 14 days before arrival in Israel;

  • Travelers who are unable to comply with all isolation requirements at home.

• Based on the above restrictions, incoming travellers will be required to spend a minimum of 1 day in quarantine and a maximum of 14 days in quarantine, unless tested negative or exempted.

#####Vaccination Required #####No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not mandatory for foreign travellers seeking to enter the country.

• Some of the approved vaccines are: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson and Johnson

#####Form Required #####Yes

• All arriving passengers must complete an Entry Form within 24 hours of departure for Israel. On completion, the travellers will receive electronic approval from the Ministry of Health. Without this approval, foreign travellers will not be allowed to board their flight. Travellers should keep this form to present to border officials.

• Foreign nationals must have an entry clearance. The application to request entry to Israel is available at this link.

#####Airline Entry #####Minimal

• Flights from Ben Gurion airport are operating.

• Domestic flights are operating.

• Everyone six years of age and older must wear a mask on board the aircraft.

#####Curfew #####Minimal

• The COVID-19 health restrictions will be in force until further notice.

• There is no curfew in place. Local jurisdictions may impose restrictions based on the surge in COVID-19 cases.

#####Social Distancing #####Moderate

• The Israeli government has launched a “Green Pass” programme, which will allow people to enter most public places including events having more than 100 attendees, after detecting that they are vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 or tested negative for COVID-19 within the last 72 hours. Children below the age of 12 are exempted from the Green Pass system.

  • This programme is applicable to only cultural and sporting events, gyms, hotels, restaurants, bars and dining halls, conferences, tourist attractions and houses of worship.

  • The Green Pass system is not applicable to shops, malls, swimming pools, museums, and libraries.

• Gatherings are restricted to up to 20 people indoors and up to 100 people outdoors. All attendees must have a Green Pass to attend the indoor and outdoor gatherings.

#####Transportation #####Moderate

• Buses are allowed to operate with limited capacity. Passengers who arrive from abroad are not allowed to travel from the airport to the isolation accommodation address by public transportation.

• Taxis are allowed to operate with a limit on the number of passengers.

• Railway services will continue to operate between 05:00-22:00 (local time) Sunday through Thursday. However, railway lines to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), Jerusalem, Raanana, Hod Hasharon, and Kfar Saba remain suspended.

#####Is there a recommended app? #####Yes

• HaMagen app is recommended.

• Travellers may also download the Ramzor (Traffic Light) app to keep updated with the restrictions in the various localities in Israel.

#####Are non-essential stores open? #####Yes

• Businesses are allowed to reopen with limitations on capacity and other health restrictions. Vaccination certificates may be required to enter some venues.

#####Are accomodations open? #####Yes

• Hotels are open. All customers must have the Green Pass to enter.

#####Are restaurants open? #####Yes

• Restaurants are open and can provide indoor services. All customers must have the Green Pass to enter.

#####Are bars & cafes open? #####Yes

• Bars and cafes are open nationwide with indoor services. All customers must have the Green Pass to enter.

#####Are beaches & tourism spots open? #####Yes

• Beaches are open.

• Tourist sites, such as Eilat along the Red Sea and Ein Bokek along the Dead Sea, are open for domestic travellers. Arriving travellers must have a negative COVID-19 test issued within the last 72 hours prior to arrival.

• Swimming pools, nature reserves, national parks, antiquities sites, and outdoor heritage sites are allowed to open.

• Amusement parks and cultural performances have resumed with restrictions.

• Green Pass system is applicable for all the customers to enter any tourist places.

#####Are museums & heritage sites open? #####Yes

• Museums are open. Green Pass system is applicable for all the customers to enter any tourist places except museums.

#####Are personal care services open? #####Yes

• Health shops, beauty salons, and barbershops are allowed to open.

#####Are places of worship open? #####Yes

• Places of worship are open. Prayers can be performed with up to 20 people indoors or 100 people outdoors. All worshipers must have the Green Pass to enter.

#####Are events & gatherings open? #####Yes

• Gatherings at weddings, circumcisions, and funerals are limited to 20 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.

#####Are masks in public required? #####Yes with exceptions

• Wearing a face mask is mandatory indoors and outdoors.

#####Other Considerations #####Not Applicable

• Educational institutes are open.

Advice

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.