The Israel Ministry of Tourism has announced that it will open its borders to international travellers starting 23 May, provided they have been vaccinated. The country–which has been closed to tourism for over one year since the start of the pandemic–will open to travellers under a phased approach.

Israeli Minister of Tourism, Orit Farkash-Hacohen said that “only opening the skies for international tourism will truly revive the tourism industry, including restaurants, hotels, sites, tour guides and others looking to work and provide for their families.”

Full details of the program, including who will be allowed in and in what numbers, will be announced by the Israeli government “in the coming days”, but the following information is clear:

• a pilot is set to begin on 23 May to let in tour groups, at first. Haaretz reported that the policy would start with groups as they were easier to monitor.
• individual travellers will be welcomed in a later phase–at the moment, it is believed this would likely be in July, but this is to be determined.
• visitors will be required to undergo a PCR test before boarding their flight to Israel.
• and upon arrival at Ben Gurion airport, travellers will have to undergo a serological test to prove their vaccination.

Read more about the best places to visit in Isreal: https://travelfree.info/best-places-to-visit-in-israel/