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Yorkshire Times
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Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
@philhopkinsuk
6:08 AM 20th May 2022
travel

Israel Scraps Final COVID Protocols For Travellers

 
Israel has dropped its final Covid-19 curbs from today, by removing on-arrival PCR tests.

A statement released by Israel’s Ministry of Health (MoH) said that under new guidelines agreed by the MoH and Airports Authority, passengers landing at Ben Gurion airport from May 20th would no longer be required to perform PCR test.

It said: “…..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.

“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.”

Passengers flying to Israel will now be permitted to take an antigen test before boarding the plane instead of a PCR test.

Any travellers who chooses the antigen option will be required to perform the test in the 24 hours prior to their departure to Israel.

Sharon Ehrlich Bershadsky, Director, Israel Government Tourist office in London commented:“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.”