Israel mulls ban on all leisure travel as COVID-19 cases spike again
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Despite having more than 63 percent of its residents with at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, Israel is concerned enough about the uptick in new cases that it is discussing a major new crackdown on travel.
One of the more extreme options being considered is a ban on all non-essential travel out of the countries primary airport, Ben Gurion Airport (TLV).
Sign up to receive the daily TPG newsletter for more travel news!
The Israeli Health Ministry reports that 10 percent of all recent cases are related to people returning from overseas travel. An Israeli television news report said the government is looking at a number of possibilities to help curtail the spread of new COVID cases. One is to require mandatory 7-day quarantine for all returning travelers, and also to only allow fully-vaccinated people, or those recovered from COVID-19 to travel.
Related: Israel to reopen to fully vaccinated tourists from May 23
Israel’s updated guidelines will now require all arrivals from 15 countries deemed to have high infection rates to quarantine for seven days with a negative test result. The countries are:
- United Arab Emirates
- Seychelles
- Ecuador
- Ethiopia
- Bolivia
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Zimbabwe
- Zambia
- Namibia
- Paraguay
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Tunisia
As of Friday, July 23, the following countries will be added to the list: the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Turkey, Georgia, Uganda, Myanmar, Fiji, Panama, Cambodia, Kenya, and Liberia.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has urged Israelis not to travel this summer. Despite this request, 22,000 people flew out of Ben Gurion Airport in a single day on 18 July.
Israel is one of the most vaccinated countries in the world, and was held up as a gold standard for its rapid vaccine rollout plan. The fact that it is considering implementing new protocols shows the level of concern about a possible new surge, which is due to the highly contagious Delta variant.
If they resume limiting travel, it stands to reason other countries could follow suit to try and prevent another coronavirus surge.
Featured image by Xantana/Getty Images
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants in the first three months of card membership.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.