Israel’s government voted Monday morning to ban travel to the US, Canada, a number of European countries, Morocco, and Turkey.
In a vote conducted by telephone, government ministers backed Health Ministry plans to expand the list of ‘red countries’ to include the United States, Canada, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Morocco, Turkey, Portugal, and Switzerland.
Deliberations were held on the plan Sunday night, though no decision was reached until Monday morning.
The decision will need to be brought before the Knesset’s Constitution Committee for final approval.
If approved, the travel ban will go into effect at midnight between Tuesday and Wednesday.
Travelers returning home to Israel from countries on the red list are required to quarantine for two weeks, regardless of vaccination status. The quarantine period can be reduced if a second PCR test is taken on the seventh day of isolation, if no COVID-like symptoms were observed at any point during the isolation period.
Returning travelers who do not have proof of vaccination or recovery are required to remain in a government-managed COVID center until they receive a negative PCR test. Receipt of a negative PCR test allows travelers to return home for the remainder of their isolation period.