Israel: Authorities to remove mandatory on-arrival PCR test for all travelers arriving at Ben Gurion International Airport from May 20 /update 129

Event

From May 20, all travelers arriving at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) will no longer have to undergo an on-arrival PCR test. In addition, beginning May 10, foreign nationals can choose to present a negative rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours before their flight's departure to Israel. Previously, foreign nationals could only present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before their flight's departure to Israel.

Absent the changes noted above, Israeli authorities have kept the country's COVID-19-related domestic measures and international travel restrictions largely unchanged.

Domestic Measures
Green Pass guidance no longer applies to any establishments and individuals are no longer required to present a valid Green Pass to enter public places and events. However, individuals in Israel may still use the Green Pass to check their vaccination or recovery status vis-a-vis government regulations and assess whether they are required to enter isolation in case of close contact with a household member with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Persons in possession of a valid Green Pass are generally not required to enter isolation in case of close contact with a household member with a confirmed case; however, those who are not vaccinated and have not recovered from COVID-19 must go into isolation if in close contact with a household member with a confirmed COVID-19 case. For more information on isolation requirements, click here.

For more information on the Green Pass, including details regarding eligibility and how to generate a Green Pass, click here.

The Israeli Ministry of Health also issues COVID Certificates that serve as a medical or international record of COVID-19 vaccination or recovery. Individuals with foreign passports can receive a COVID Certificate if they meet the necessary criteria. For more information on COVID Certificates, click here.

Israel uses a four-tiered "Traffic Light Model" to apply COVID-19-related guidance in individual councils based on local infection rates. For more information on the Traffic Light Model, including COVID-19-related guidance by local council, click here.

International Travel Restrictions
Israel uses a three-color scale (i.e., red, orange, and yellow) to assign COVID-19-related international travel restrictions by country. Currently, authorities classify all countries as orange. To view more details on countries' color designation and applicable international travel restrictions, click here.

All inbound international travelers must complete and submit an online entry statement form within 48 hours before their flight to Israel (or within 10 days before arrival in the case of travelers arriving by land). After completing the form, travelers will receive a link to prepay for an on-arrival PCR test. All incoming travelers must take a PCR test upon arrival. The cost of a prepaid test for travelers arriving by air is ILS 63.20; those paying at the airport must pay ILS 79, and those entering at a land border crossing must pay ILS 80. To access the entry statement form, click here.

Foreign nationals are permitted to travel to Israel regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination or recovery status. Travelers must present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before their flight's departure to Israel or within 72 hours before arrival at the Israeli border crossing if traveling by land. Exempt from the pre-entry test requirements are Israeli nationals, individuals traveling from Ukraine (including through a third country), individuals who have stayed outside of Israel for less than 72 hours, those presenting a positive result from a PCR or rapid test taken at least eight days and less than three months before entry, and persons with a testing exemption approved by the Exceptions Committee. However, recovered individuals and travelers arriving from Ukraine must still fill out a health statement; foreign nationals with a confirmed case of COVID-19 are not permitted to travel from Ukraine to Israel. Foreign travelers with a connecting flight to Israel and a layover of more than 24 hours between their first flight and their flight that lands in Israel must have a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before the departure of their inbound flight to Israel. Foreign nationals must have health insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment to enter Israel, except for those arriving from Ukraine.

While travelers are still required to enter isolation upon arrival, they are only required to remain in quarantine until receipt of a negative result from the on-arrival PCR test or for 24 hours, whichever comes first; these isolation rules apply to most individuals traveling to Israel, regardless of vaccination status, age, or origin of travel. However, those who have been recognized in Israel as having recovered from COVID-19 within the last 60 days are exempt from the isolation requirement. Those whose on-arrival PCR test returns a positive result must isolate and adhere to relevant Israeli government guidelines. To view the guidance regarding "Isolation of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases," click here.

Travelers who are confirmed to have COVID-19 or are required to be in isolation cannot leave Israel and may be subject to penalties if they travel to the airport or a land border crossing.

For more information on regulations governing international travel to and from Israel, click here.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all business appointments and travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.

Resources

COVID Information Center of the Israel Ministry of Health
Israel Travel Guidelines