Israel Reduced Health Criteria for Arrivals

Prior to their departure for the destination, Israel has reduced the health criteria that apply to returning citizens and international tourists.

Passengers arriving in Israel from today (26th November) can now present a negative antigen test from the preceding 24 hours, rather than the previous need for a negative PCR test from the previous 72 hours.

Passengers arriving at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv (pictured), as well as Israel’s other border entry points, will be subjected to a PCR test at the airport and will be kept in isolation until the results are received, which will take up to 24 hours.

In a statement, the Israel Government Tourist Office in London said: “This decision has been taken, even though Covid infections are on the rise in Europe, to ease the way for travelers because antigen tests are significantly cheaper than PCR tests.”

Sharon Bershadsky, director of the Israel Government Tourist Office in the United Kingdom and Ireland, added: “The easing of the process is an encouraging step from the cabinet to help ease the international travel process, which has been stringent for the health and safety of all and continues to be the number one priority.

“By introducing antigen tests, we are hopeful these will ease the way for everyone traveling to Israel or considering making it their next holiday destination.”

Travelers from the UK who are fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 must enter 24-hour isolation or isolate until a PCR test is negative, whichever comes first, according to Israel’s travel traffic light system.