Tourists from low-risk countries won't need serological test - official

• Published date: 15 June 2021
• Author: ROSSELLA TERCATIN
• Date: 15 June 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

These countries meet the Health Ministry's criteria in terms of their coronavirus situation and are considered to be very low risk.

According to the official, the professionals at the ministry are continuing to work on the outline to allow vaccinated foreign nationals from selected nations to enter the country starting July 1. However, this will need to be discussed with Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz along with the rest of coronavirus regulations. Some changes in policies might still occur.

Last Thursday, former tourism minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen said inoculated individuals would be able to enter the country next month after former interior minister Arye Deri signed a document to that effect. While there was no indication that the plan would change, it was still too early to tell, a Tourism Ministry representative said Tuesday.

During the transition ceremony at the Tourism Ministry, Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov said bringing back foreign tourists would be his No. 1 priority and that he and Horowitz had been discussing the topic.

"I see creating a correct and effective outline to bring back foreign tourists to Israel as my first mission in this position, obviously without endangering [the health of] Israeli citizens," Razvozov said.

"I have already spoken to incoming Health Minister Horowitz, and we will set up a meeting with the professional staff," he said, adding that the pilot program that has already allowed a limited number of tourists to enter Israel has proven that this can be done safely.

At the moment, all those...