Israel to Eliminate On-Arrival PCR Test Later this Month

Israel’s Ministry of Health has stated that it will modify its Covid travel testing restrictions this week and eliminate its necessity for on-arrival PCR tests later this month.

Passengers arriving at Ben Gurion Airport after 20th May will no longer be needed to undergo a PCR under the new standards.

Foreign arrivals will be able to take an antigen test before traveling beginning Tuesday, 10th May, according to the ministry.

Passengers who choose to take an antigen test must do so 24 hours before to their flight to Israel.

“The decision was made in light of the decline in morbidity data and at the end of discussions that took place between the professionals in the Ministry of Health and the staff of the Airports Authority,” the ministry said in a statement.

“It was agreed that the professionals would formulate a mechanism for maintaining the suitability of the testing system at Ben Gurion Airport, in order to enable it to be operated quickly, in full or in part when necessary.”

Director of the Israel Government Tourist office in London,  Sharon Ehrlich Bershadsky, said: “As consumer confidence grows in line with restrictions easing, it was important that we made the entry process as simple as possible for travellers whilst keeping health and safety a top priority.

“We are hopeful that the easing of on-arrival PCR tests will help encourage tourists to put Israel on their holiday lists this year.”