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For more than a year now, Israel has had one of the strictest border policies in the world, with all leisure travellers banned from entering the country altogether. But with its vaccine rollout ranking among the fastest in the world, Israel is now set to reopen to tourists – just in time for summer.
On Tuesday, the country’s ministry of tourism announced that it would welcome international visitors again from May 23 – so long as they have been vaccinated. To start with, only tour groups will be allowed in, with individual travellers to follow later.
All visitors will also be required to present a negative PCR test result on arrival, and they must take a further test (with details still TBC) at the airport to prove they have been vaccinated. If countries agree on a mutual vaccine certification scheme (or ‘vaccine passport’) with Israel, it is thought the country will scrap the second test.
The full details of the country’s phase reopening are to be announced next week. So watch this space – but it seems that if you’ve got the jab, you could well be hitting the beach in Tel Aviv this summer.
Remember, many countries are still warning against all non-essential travel and some are quarantining all overseas arrivals, including their own returning citizens. Check all the relevant restrictions before you think about travelling.
Where can you travel right now? Here’s what you need to know.