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Israel prepares to open up to travelers from ‘green countries’

Visitors in nations with low coronavirus infection rates will no longer be required to enter quarantine upon arrival.

The baggage claim area at Ben-Gurion International Airport, March 2020. Photo by Josh Hasten.
The baggage claim area at Ben-Gurion International Airport, March 2020. Photo by Josh Hasten.

Israeli Health Ministry Deputy Director-General Itamar Grotto said on Wednesday foreign travelers from “green countries” will no longer be required to enter quarantine upon arrival in Israel.

In remarks before the Knesset State Control Committee, Grotto said the policy is scheduled to go into effect on Aug. 16. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, until now all those entering Israel have been required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. This will remain the case for all countries not on the “green list.”

The countries on the list include the Seychelle Islands, Cyprus, Greece, South Korea, Slovenia, Montenegro, Georgia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Austria and Lithuania, according to Ynet.

United Airlines announced earlier in July that it is further expanding its international schedule in September with nonstop service three days a week between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport.

In addition to its brand-new service between Chicago and Tel Aviv, United is scheduled to increase its current service to Israel out of its New York/Newark, N.J. hub from daily flights out to 10 weekly flights in August.

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