05 Jan 2023 | 12:04 AM UTC
Israel: Officials tighten COVID-19-related international travel restrictions for travelers arriving from China as of Jan. 5 /update 134
Israeli officials tighten country's COVID-19-related international travel restrictions for travelers arriving from China as of Jan. 5.
Event
Officials in Israel have recently modified the country's COVID-19-related international travel restrictions. As of Jan. 5, non-Israeli travelers arriving from China must have a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure for Israel. The country's other COVID-19-related restrictions have remained largely unchanged since Oct. 18.
Domestic Measures
Individuals are required to wear a facemask in medical and health institutions as well as social services facilities unless no patients are present. Israeli health authorities also recommend wearing a facemask in other indoor settings.
Individuals in Israel are only required to enter isolation if confirmed to have COVID-19 or upon receiving individual guidance to isolate from the country's healthcare system. For more information on domestic isolation requirements, 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
Foreign nationals are permitted to travel to Israel regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination or recovery status. However, Israeli authorities instruct individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have not yet recovered to refrain from boarding a flight or cruise to the country. Foreign nationals residing abroad, except for those arriving from Ukraine directly or via a connecting flight, must have health insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment to enter Israel.
Authorities request that travelers take a PCR test if feeling unwell within 10 days after arriving in Israel. In general, individuals are eligible to take a PCR test upon presentation of a flight ticket, cruise ticket, or confirmation of having paid to travel via a land border crossing within the last 20 days. Additionally, travelers ages 30 and older can take a PCR test without presenting one of the abovementioned documents.
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, seaport, 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.
