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Israel is the world leader in vaccinating its population against COVID-19.

With such staggeringly high numbers of folk protected by the vaccine, the possibility for travel among those who have had both doses is looking super positive. We have gone ahead and summarised all you need to know about traveling from Israel from the Government so you have it in one easy, digestible spot.

What do I need to know as an Israeli Citizen?

All outbound passengers who stay in Israel more than 72 hours must present airline staff with a negative COVID-19 PCR test results prior to departure. This does not apply to people with Israeli vaccination or recovered certificates.

• Keep a digital or paper copy of your clearance (preferably both)
• Show your copy at the entrance to the airport and to airline staff with your plane ticket

Before you travel

All travelers must complete and submit an online outbound passenger statement form within 24 hours of boarding your flight. If you don’t meet the health requirements, you won’t be permitted to board your flight.

You’ll need to:

• provide personal details of all of the people who travel with you, including children
• check the health declarations

Who needs to apply:

• an Israeli citizen
• an Israeli resident
• a foreign national

Depending on the information you provide and health declarations, you'll either be cleared or refused to board your flight. You'll get a notification immediately after submitting the form. Contact airline staff if boarding is denied.

You can schedule an appointment to get tested for international travel at your own expense with one of the medical centers that offer coronavirus testing.

Passengers who are not sure if they are required to go into isolation or passengers who are required to go into isolation and were refused boarding are advised to check their travel compliance with the Population and Immigration Authority. If a passenger is a confirmed case or is required to go into isolation, boarding will be denied under penalty of law.

Entry to airport

• Entry to the airport will be allowed only to those who present a valid plane ticket and a printed copy of their clearance issued by Israel Ministry of Health. Passengers must keep the clearance until arriving in destination
• Body temperature will be screened before entering airport premises
• Entry to airport premises will be granted to passengers only (exceptions apply)
• People with symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, or loss of taste and smell will not be allowed to enter the airport premises

Guidance before, during and after air travel

• Outbound passengers will be checked whether they are on the list of confirmed cases or people who must go into isolation. If an outbound passenger is found to be on the list of confirmed cases or people who must go into isolation, boarding will be denied under penalty of law
• Travelers must wear a facemask that covers the nose and mouth at the airport (ages 7 years and older), and on board the aircraft (ages 6 years and older)
• Passengers must stay at least 2 meters from people who are not same-household members
• Passengers must practice hygiene, which includes washing hands with sanitizers
• Passengers must present their boarding pass and clearance to airline staff
• Passengers who recovered from Covid-19 must present a doctor-certified recovery confirmation whenever asked to
• COVID-19 vaccinated passengers must present a vaccination certificate whenever asked to

Returning to Israel

• All passengers arriving in Israel that their itinerary was 72 hours or longer must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result to airline staff. The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure to Israel. This requirement applies to people with a vaccination certificate or a certificate of recovery. Entry to Israel depends on complying with this requirement
• Passengers arriving in Israel who cannot take a PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure to Israel because of humanitarian grounds, or special personal needs, or if it is physically impossible to gain access to PCR testing in the location they are flying from may apply to the Exceptions Committee
• Passengers who fly to Israel and passengers who are required to go into isolation must submit an inbound passenger statement. In the statement form, passengers are required to fill out their personal information, the address of the accommodation where they will isolate, and a health declaration. The statement form should be filled out within 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure to Israel, preferably as close as possible to departure time
• Foreign nationals must submit an application for an entry clearance certified by an Israeli consulate or by the Population and Immigration Authority. Entry of foreign nationals will be granted only if they fall under an exception
• Passengers must present the PCR test results to airline staff, to officials of the Immigration and Population Authority and to officials of the Ministry of Health at the airport. Note that boarding will be denied of COVID-19 confirmed cases

Isolation Requirements

Upon arrival, passengers will have to prove they can fully comply with all requirements to be allowed to go into isolation at home or another available accommodation. If it is not possible to comply with all isolation requirements, passengers will have to provide the address of the hotel where they will isolate.

The mandatory isolation duration is 14 days; it can be shortened to 10 days if two test results taken in the time intervals set in the protocol are negative.

Passengers who recovered or were vaccinated in Israel

You are exempt from isolation if you have recovered from COVID-19 in Israel and were registered in the Israeli Ministry of Health recovered patients database, or if you were vaccinated with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and 7 days have passed since the second dose, and if you are registered in Israeli Ministry of Health vaccinated people database.

It is advised that recovered patients or vaccinated individuals ask their HMO for a recovery certificate or apply to the Ministry of Health for a vaccination certificate.

If you get vaccinated with two doses in Israel, but you exit Israel before 7 full days pass after the second dose, you will have to go into Isolation when you return to Israel, but only if less than 21 days passed after receiving the second dose.

Passengers who recovered or received the vaccine abroad

Passengers who recovered or received the vaccine abroad must go into isolation upon arrival; but they can apply for an exemption if:

• they take a serological test in one of the Ministry of Health accredited laboratories
• the serological test result is positive, they must apply for an exemption from isolation by filling out the online form. Applicants must attach the positive serological test result taken in Israel, in addition to documents of any positive PCR test, antibody test or serological test taken abroad, which show infection with coronavirus or an officially certified confirmation of recovery

You must wait at least 10 days between testing positive for coronavirus and taking the serological test. You must wait for a text message (SMS) and/or e-mail confirming that you are exempt of isolation.

For more detailed information or to start the planning of your next trip, feel free to call our office on +44 1932 361807 or pop us an email at [email protected], and we can help you to plan your bespoke Africa safari holiday – and by doing so, help us to support those most in need on the ground.

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