28 Feb 2023 | 07:31 PM UTC
Israel: Officials ease COVID-19-related international travel restrictions for travelers from China as of Feb. 28 /update 135
Israeli officials ease COVID-19-related international travel restrictions for travelers who have recently visited China as of Feb. 28.
Event
Officials in Israel have recently eased the country's COVID-19-related international travel restrictions for travelers arriving from China. As of Feb. 28, non-Israeli travelers who have visited China within seven days before traveling to Israel are no longer required to present a negative pre-departure PCR test result to enter the country.
Additionally, Israeli authorities now recommend that all travelers take a PCR test after entering Israel, especially if feeling unwell within 10 days after arriving in the country. Travelers may take a COVID-19 test free of charge at health maintenance organizations (HMOs) or at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV). In general, individuals are eligible to take a PCR test upon presentation of a flight ticket or cruise ticket from the last 10 days, or confirmation of having paid to travel via a land border crossing within the last 20 days. Travelers ages 30 and older can take a PCR test without presenting one of the abovementioned documents.
Israeli health authorities have also eased domestic facemask requirements, now recommending that individuals wear a facemask in all indoor settings, including in medical, healthcare, and social services facilities; previously, individuals were required to wear a facemask in medical and health institutions as well as social services facilities unless no patients were present. The country's other COVID-19-related domestic measures and international travel restrictions have remained largely unchanged by comparison with those that were in place as of Jan. 5.
Domestic Measures
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.
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.
