As the UK variant of COVID-19 sweeps across the country, Israel is hitting a record number of daily COVID-19 cases and deaths.
Israel will extend its current lockdown through the end of the month in an effort to control the spread while the county works to inoculate its citizens at breakneck speed. Israel’s virus czar reports that getting 1 dose of the vaccine is not as effective as expected, but after 2 doses it appears to be quite effective.
Starting on 1/23, Israel will require negative COVID-19 PCR results from within 72 hours of take-off in order to enter the country. Failure to provide a negative test will result in a 2,500 Shekel fine.
People who have recovered, or who have received both vaccine doses, and are also in the Israeli Ministry of Health’s system as recovered or inoculated, are not required to provide a negative test.
The test won’t be required for those who leave Israel for less than 72 hours or for airline crew than will be in the country for less than 72 hours.
Israel continues to bar most foreign citizens from entering the country. Israelis returning from countries like the UAE must go to a quarantine hotel for 10-14 days.
Hopefully Israel finds a way to accept the vaccination and recovery records from other countries if it hopes to reopen this year…
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27 Comments On "Israel Will Require Negative COVID-19 PCR To Enter Country, Extends Lockdown"
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@dan, “People who have recovered, or who have received both vaccine doses” how long ago?
Anytime. But it must be recorded in the Ministry of Health system
Is there any way I can see if I am registered in the Ministry of health?
I was in Israel a few months ago and I got a letter that I don’t need to Isolate because I showed them proof of recovered
link?
here https://corona.health.gov.il/green-pass it says 6 months
are you saying there is a possibility that it might not reopen this year? what about canada will it open before the end of 2021 disastrous
I think it will, but countries are going to need to recognize each other’s medical records for that to happen.
thank you for that
They’re going to have to have some confidence that the other countries records cannot be forged.
Enough people were caught forging foreign Antibody tests for the Israeli Govt to be warry of records that they don’t control
How do you get your vaccination registered on Israeli Ministry of Healths’s system?
If you’ve received two injections, with specified gap in between (3 weeks for Pfizer) IN ISRAEL–it will be there.
@Dan, Is it confirmed the negative PCR test result 72 hours prior is not to begin until 1/23?
Yes.
Why cant they let foreigners if there demanding those requirements?
Because it’s not about the virus, it never was.
Maybe there’s some loophole somewhere. US is require COVID tests, but a posse of 5000 people heading to the border where Biden is probably going to let them in. Maybe we can gather our own posse and walk over from Lebanon!
Does anyone kno if american students learning in israel and who have visas are being let bck into israel?
You need to get a special entry permit, even if you have a visa.
is it 72 hours prior to flight or 72 hours prior to landing in Israel? Times of Israel says 72 hours prior to landing- Jpost says 72 hours prior to flight
Assuming same as other countries that have long required negative PCR, it from departure.
Another day, another rule.
Dan – what’s the deal with, for example, travel to Canada and back to US for those who received their full vaccine (both shots) in the US? Can they travel without the need for PCR tests on each leg? It would be ridiculous to require it but I can’t seem to find anything out there are about this. And if so, would the CDC vaccination card be enough proof for these purposes? Thanks
Can a usa citizen book a flight now for a date within the extended lockdown to leave Israel ?
Yes
Is the 72 hours from the time the test is done or from the time that results are received? In Rockland county, PCR results take 48 to 72 hours from the test time.
I am just going to throw it out there. Seems like lockdowns don’t actually do much in preventing cases.
A negative test would cover both people who are “negative” and those who had the shots without being concerned about forged documents
does israeli citizen living in us need to go to hotel for quarantine upon arrival? or paperwork can prevent that??