Published December 20, 2021 4:18 PM IST Updated December 29, 2021 6:48 PM IST
By December 22, many countries around the world will be classified by Israel as Red countries. This includes the US and Canada, and most of Europe and Africa. UPDATE: Many countries will be re-classified as Orange on December 30. For the full list of classifications, see here.
If a country is classified as a Red country, it means the following:
Leaving Israel
- Israelis and permanent residents (toshavei keva), including those with dual citizenship, must fill out an Exit Form when leaving the country, regardless of the status of their destination country. They must affirm that they will not travel to Red countries, at risk of a heavy fine.
- Israelis and permanent residents (toshavei keva), including those with dual citizenship, who seek to travel to a Red country must first obtain permission, by applying to the Exceptions Committee (Vaadat Charigim). Learn more about the Exceptions Committee here. UPDATE:As of December 28, Israeli citizens wishing to travel home to their country of residence abroad must apply to the Exceptions Committee. Select יציאה למגורי קבע לתקופה מעל 30 יום, and tick the box declaring that you intend to be away for at least 30 days. Proof of residence abroad is recommended, but is not mandatory. It may be submitted as attachments.
- Visa holders do not need permission to fly to a country that is classified as Red. However, they will not be allowed to re-enter. In a new development, visa holders are now permitted to apply to the Exceptions Committee for permission to leave Israel, for the same urgent categories that Israelis may apply for. Should they be granted an exit permit, this will essentially serve as an entry permit for them to return to Israel after travel to the Red country. Visa holders will need to enter their Bituach Leumi number as their Teudat Zehut.
Entering Israel
- Israeli citizens and permanent residents will need to quarantine for fourteen days upon return from Red countries. This can be shortened to seven days with a negative PCR test on the first and seventh days when returning from a red country, as follows:
- Vaccinated/ Recovered will sign a consent form at the airport, and quarantine at home
- Non-vaccinated/ Recovered will be sent to a corona hotel until receipt of their first PCR test results. If negative, they will sign a form and go home to finish quarantine. If positive, they will need to finish their quarantine in the corona hotel.
- Visa holders will not be able to enter Israel from a Red country.
Student visa holders, who are vaccinated/recovered, who have traveled to a Red country before it became classified as Red will be able to obtain permits to re-enter Israel.UPDATE: Student visa holders, who are vaccinated/recovered, who have traveled to a Red country before it became classified as Red will be able to re-enter Israel without a permit.It is unclear at this time whether those who hold entry permits issued before their country turned Red, will be allowed to enter with those permits, once the country’s status changes to Red. In the past, we have seen permits cancelled once a country turns Red.UPDATE: Permits issued after November 28 will be honored. Foreigners MAY be sent to Corona Hotels for quarantine.- It is uncertain whether eligible foreigners will be permitted to depart on flights on Tuesday night, which will land on Wednesday. We will update when more information becomes available.
- Ben Gurion Airport will remain open, and flights will continue to arrive and depart. However, it is wholly possible that airlines will begin to cancel flights, as many prime destinations will be Red.
Many of these rules still require final approval, and changes may yet occur. Follow www.chaimvchessed.com, or subscribe to our updates for the latest information.