Israel: Authorities to extend new COVID-19 restrictions for a further 10 days from 00:01 Dec. 13 /update 120

Event

Israeli authorities will extend several new COVID-19 restrictions for a further 10 days from 00:01 Dec. 13, including a ban on foreign arrivals, in response to the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Domestic Restrictions
A Green Pass is required to access many public facilities and gatherings in Israel. It is required for all gatherings of more than 50 people in indoor spaces.

Establishments and gatherings that must comply with Green Pass guidance include conferences, exhibitions, hotels, gyms, event venues, festivals, indoor areas of restaurants and cafes, museums, libraries, indoor tourist attractions, and institutions of higher education, among others. Access to places subject to Green Pass guidance is generally only provided to individuals presenting a valid pass with identification or a negative result from a recently taken COVID-19 test. Children under the age of three are exempt from Green Pass guidance. For more information on Green Pass requirements and guidance, click here.

The Green Pass is available on the Traffic Light website, the Traffic Light mobile application, at self-service stations across the country, via the Israeli Ministry of Health Hotline, and via an interactive voice response system. To request a Green Pass via the Traffic Light website, click here. To view current Green Pass eligibility and validity details, click here.

The Israeli Ministry of Health also issues COVID Certificates, which serve as a medical or international record of COVID-19 vaccination or recovery. Individuals with foreign passports are eligible to receive a COVID-19 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 local 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
Israeli officials have banned all foreign nationals from entering the country through Dec. 22.

All Israeli nationals are subject to a PCR test upon arrival. Fully vaccinated Israeli citizens must undergo a three-day self-isolation period at home; they must take another PCR test on the third day and may leave quarantine upon receiving a negative result. Unvaccinated Israelis are subject to a seven-day quarantine period at home and a PCR test on day seven; they can end the isolation period if the test result is negative. Israelis returning from red-listed countries are required to isolate at a government-designated hotel until they receive a negative result from the PCR test carried out upon arrival. If these passengers test negative, they may quarantine at home, test again on the seventh day, and end the isolation period when they receive a negative result. Israel uses a three-color scale (i.e., red, orange, and yellow) to assign COVID-19-related international travel restrictions by country. To view countries' color designation, click here.

Officials prohibit Israeli citizens and residents from traveling to red destinations until further notice. Only individuals who have obtained special permission from the Exceptions Committee can travel to these locations. Israelis can transit through these destinations, provided they remain in the airport transit area for no more than 12 hours.

Travelers planning to leave the country, including Israeli citizens and residents aged 16 and older, must complete and submit an online exit statement form no more than 24 hours before their scheduled departure. Departing travelers must also present a travel clearance permitting departure from Israel that is received after submitting the exit statement form. To access the online exit statement form, click here.

Additionally, all travelers who have stayed in Israel for more than 72 hours must present an Israeli COVID Certificate or a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure from Israel. Travelers who receive a positive result from the pre-departure PCR test are barred from boarding their flight and must enter isolation.

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

Ministry of Health Coronavirus Website
El Al Airlines
World Health Organization