Israel is getting ready to open up to foreign tourists again. From May 23 the country will welcome travellers from outside Israel — but only in groups, and only vaccinated visitors.

In a deal hammered out by Tourism Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen, and Minister of Health Yuli Edelstein, foreign tourists will be allowed into Israel in groups — more than a year after the country closed its borders.

From May 23 a limited number of groups will be able to visit, with individual travellers only allowed later in the roll-out, depending on the overall health situation. All visitors will be required to undergo a PCR test before boarding their flight to Israel, and a serological test to prove their vaccination, on arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. In the meantime, discussions will continue with various countries to reach agreements for vaccine-certificate validation, so as to cancel the need for the serological test.

Orit Farkash-Hacohen said: “It is time that Israel’s unique advantage as a safe and healthy country starts to assist it in recovering from the economic crisis. Only opening the skies for international tourism will truly revive the tourism industry, including restaurants, hotels, sites, tour guides, buses and others looking to work and provide for their families”.