Israel to open borders to tourists 1st time since pandemic began

A limited number of vaccinated tourists will be allowed to enter Israel in organized groups starting May 23, the Israeli Health Ministry and Tourism Ministry said in a joint statement, Report informs citing the Times Of Israel.

Tourism Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said in the statement that only groups will be allowed to visit at first as they will be easier to monitor. Individual travelers are expected to be allowed in at a later stage.

“It is time that Israel’s unique advantage as a safe and healthy country starts to assist it in recovering from the economic crisis,” said Farkash-Hacohen in the statement.

“Only opening the skies for international tourism will truly revive the tourism industry, including restaurants, hotels, sites, tour guides, buses, and others looking to work and provide for their families.”

Tourists will be required to take a PCR coronavirus test before boarding a plane to Israel. Upon arrival in Israel, they will have to take both a PCR test and a serological test, which proves the existence of antibodies.

The statement said Israel will continue to negotiate with countries over mutual recognition of vaccination certificates to remove the need for serological tests.

Last week an unnamed senior health official told the Kan public broadcaster that recognition of vaccinations performed in other countries was complicated by political sensitivities surrounding countries that have deployed vaccines that Israel has not authorized.