Israelis will be able to obtain a COVID-19 recovery certificate from the Health Ministry through serological testing, Israeli media reported on Monday.
The policy will allow individuals who had previously contracted the virus but never officially tested positive to prove the presence of antibodies in their blood.
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Home Front Command soldier carried out a COVID-19 antibody serological test in Netanya
(Photo: AFP)
Such will be possible by undergoing a serological test — known as ‘N’ — which tests for the presence of antibodies triggered by the coronavirus strain that causes COVID-19, even after recovery, while glossing over those elicited by inoculation.
Under the new policy, a serological test showing a high antibody count will grant eligibility to a Green Pass, even for those with one or two jabs, regardless of the time that elapsed since being vaccinated.
The Green Pass is a document that grants access to public venues for those who have either been fully inoculated against COVID-19 or have recently recovered from it.
Those who recover from the virus will be eligible for a Green Pass for six months after their recovery date. Afterward, another shot will be needed unless they contract the virus once more.
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Home Front Command soldier carried out a COVID-19 antibody serological test in central Israel
(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
Israelis who have neither recovered from the virus nor are vaccinated can obtain a temporary Green Pass through a negative PCR test.
The combination of recovery and a single vaccine dose is considered by the Health Ministry to provide sufficient protection against COVID-19.
The ministry will only recognize serological tests which were carried out at one of several approved laboratories across the country. Israelis who wish to undergo the test will have to pay between $50 and $100 out of pocket.
So far, the ministry recorded 1.32 million Israelis who have recovered from COVID-19.