Israel reopens to tourists - but British children will have to wait

The announcement by the Ministry of Health brings to an end the long wait for holidaymakers and relatives anxious to be reunited with family members after 20 months of the pandemic.

 

But British children are still largely excluded under the new policy, as is anyone whose last jab was more than six months ago.

 

An Israeli government source admitted to the JC the situation “is not perfect”, but added officials are working hard to find a solution to allow children from the UK in as soon as possible.

 

Under the rules in force from 1 November, tourists will be allowed entry if they have been doubled-vaccinated, as long as the second dose or a booster jab has been given at least 14 days before arriving in Israel, and no more than six months before the return flight.

 

The vaccine must be on the list of those approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which includes the ones being used by the NHS, Oxford/AxstraZeneca, Pfizer/Biontech and Moderna.

 

Travellers will be required to carry out a PCR test no more than 72 hours before flying out, and to fill out a passenger declaration form to present before boarding a flight to Israel.

 

After arriving at Ben Gurion Airport tourists will have to perform a further PCR test, and remain in isolation for 24 hours, or less if a negative result comes through sooner.

 

But British children are currently excluded under the rules. In the UK, all 16- and 17-year-olds have been offered a first jab.

 

The availability of a second dose for the age group has yet to be announced. A single vaccine is currently being offered to children aged 12 to 15, and there are no current NHS plans for a second dose.

 

There are exemptions to Israel's requirement for being double-vaccinated for anyone who has recovered from covid in the past six months, or recovered more than six months ago but has since had at least a single dose of a WHO-approved vaccine.

 

There has been a muted welcome to the news by the Israeli tourist industry given the continued limitations.

 

"How many tourists out in the world have actually gotten boosters or are sitting in that six-month period following their second dose?" Israel Hotel Association CEO Yael Danieli told Reuters.

 

"Even if both parents in a family are vaccinated, their children under 12 are not, so they mostly can't come to Israel."

 

Announcing the new rules, tourism minister Yoel Razvozov said: "This is not the end of the struggle, but only the beginning. We look forward to welcoming back tourism to Israel."

 

Sharon Bershadsky, Director of Israel’s UK & Ireland Tourist Office said: “I’m very excited to be able to share the news, the Ministry of Tourism along with our colleagues in the industry have been working tirelessly over this difficult period and we are thrilled to be able to welcome visitors back to Israel.”