Israel reopens its skies to nationals returning from 'green' countries

Dozens of Israelis return home after Health Ministry comes into effect, many praising country's decision to renew air travel, while others are concerned it could also trigger another uptick in virus cases
Itay Blumenthal|
Israel on Sunday rescinded compulsory quarantine for nationals returning from some 20 "green" countries that have low coronavirus contagion rates.
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  • Since Israel is considered a "red" country due to its high levels of infection, most "green" countries refuse to allow its nationals across their borders, besides Bulgaria, Croatia, and the Greek cities of Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete and Corfu.
    Travelers from Israel will have to present a negative coronavirus test before departure to these locations.
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    פתיחת שמיים חלקית בנתב"ג
    פתיחת שמיים חלקית בנתב"ג
    Travelers arriving at Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv
    (Photo: Moti Kimchi)
    Dozens of passengers touched down in Israel on Sunday after the new regulation came into effect, many praising the country's decision to reopen its airspace, but others were concerned it could also be seeing another uptick in coronavirus cases.
    Health Ministry Director-General Prof. Hezi Levy on Sunday signed an order to end compulsory quarantine for Israelis returning from 21 "green" countries in the past 14 days.
    These countries include Italy, Georgia, New Zealand, Canada, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Finland, Austria, Germany, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Jordan, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Rwanda, Hong Kong, Cyprus and Greece.
    The Health Ministry also launched a website gathering information and questions about flights from Israel and arrivals from abroad.
    2 View gallery
    פתיחת שמיים חלקית בנתב"ג
    פתיחת שמיים חלקית בנתב"ג
    Travelers arriving at Ben-Gurion Airport
    (Photo: Moti Kimchi)
    All passengers wishing to leave Israel are required to fill out a departure report form during the 24 hours prior to the flight. In addition, passengers will also have to sign a health declaration.
    Only flight ticket holders who have completed the application on the Health Ministry website will be allowed entry to the departures terminal.
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