Israel And Ben Gurion COVID-19 Reopening Master Thread

[flyingace]

It needs to be positive based on the threshold of the test administered. Some have it at above 50, some have it at above 150 IINM, and Sheba has it at 1.1. It all depends on which test they use.

I have a positive Macabi test of 68.9 from 3/18. Do I need a new test? It was not high enough for a machlim. But it does say anything over 1 is positive.

[ExGingi]

I have a positive Macabi test of 68.9 from 3/18. Do I need a new test? It was not high enough for a machlim. But it does say anything over 1 is positive.

IDK. My guess is that if it's not high enough for machlim, then it won't get you out of quarantine. The whole point of the antibody tests is to verify people who are supposedly immune due to prior infection or vaccination overseas, that is only proven by the antibody test.

[S209]

Things in Israel could change tomorrow

*Things that aged well thread*

[ExGingi]

Did I get all this right?
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/israel/israel-begins-reopening-entry-exceptions-vaccinated-recovered-relatives/

Regarding receiving quarantine exit SMS, I think it should be noted that an Israeli number is required in order to receive SMS.

[Divora M]

Just to be clear an Israeli can enter Israel with just providing their Israeli passport and negative PCR test? No permits needed or travel insurance? Also, can you get an antibody test taken at TLV?

[ExGingi]

Just to be clear an Israeli can enter Israel with just providing their Israeli passport and negative PCR test? No permits needed or travel insurance? Also, can you get an antibody test taken at TLV?

No antibody tests at the airport at this point. Shamir and Sheba are about the same traveling distance (though in a straight line, Shamir is probably closer - there's a hotel right there which is often used by air crews).

[met]

My information is more than a month old, when many rules were different or not yet implemented, so I don't know if my experience counts. IIRC it was about a day to receive the email with the official cancellation of quarantine, though an SMS saying it was canceled was received several hours earlier (I have a virtual Israeli mobile number that receives SMS).

Can multiple family members give one phone number for this? Also, how could one get a virtual number?

[aygart]

Also, how could one get a virtual number?

+1

[ExGingi]

Can multiple family members give one phone number for this? Also, how could one get a virtual number?

AFAIK multiple family members can give one phone number.

My virtual number is through Zadarma.com. If you buy a number from them it might not work well for incoming SMS. IME if you have an actual Israeli mobile number that has been used for SMS, porting that number to Zadarma will give good results as far as incoming SMS.

Other options are DIDWW, https://sms4free.co.il/Explanation/VirtualKasheerNumber and possibly more.

[Dan]

Official government publication:

https://www.gov.il/he/departments/news/border_closing_coronavirus_14062020?fbclid=IwAR2rTqlqpH2MfEoPu8OiWg6PhfI7fI5i1fRDG0XDJmMA_zCV9nQF-g8FhWg

Vaccinated or immune first degree relatives of Israeli citizens who are in Israel, can get entry permits via local consulates & Immigration Authority offices in Israel.

Israeli citizens traveling to Israel to visit a family member, even if that family member is not Israeli, can bring other non-Israeli family members with them.

Will Israel accept positive antibodies in the US as proof of recovery?

[ExGingi]

Will Israel accept positive antibodies in the US as proof of recovery?

Their current policy is not to accept any foreign documtation except if supported by an Israeli antibody test.

[Dan]

Their current policy is not to accept any foreign documtation

-1

[TBD]

-1

IT could be foreign citizens who took vaccines in Israel or have a maclim from Israel. Thousand of foreigners who were in Israel from September till before current lockdowns have machlim, which they received to exit quarantine on their prior visits

[Dan]

IT could be foreign citizens who took vaccines in Israel or have a maclim from Israel. Thousand of foreigners who were in Israel from September till before current lockdowns have machlim, which they received to exit quarantine on their prior visits

No, it's talking about in the US.
Hence the need to also take an antibody test.

[TBD]

No, it's talking about in the US.
Hence the need to also take an antibody test.

@Dan Where is it written that you need to take a antibody test or stay in quarantine if you are vaccinated/recovered?

[Dan]

@Dan Where is it written that you need to take a antibody test or stay in quarantine if you are vaccinated/recovered?

"Foreign citizens entering Israel (even if they recovered from COVID or were
vaccinated) are bound by the quarantine and testing regulations in accordance with the
guidelines of the Ministry of Health, including conducting a serological test and a
self-funded electronic bracelet (for keeping track of quarantine)."

[TBD]

Can you leave after the SMS or no?

https://www.gov.il/en/departments/guides/flying-to-israel-guidlines?chapterIndex=5

[ExGingi]

No, it's talking about in the US.
Hence the need to also take an antibody test.

Let me translate that into plain English for you:

"We don't trust any foreign documentation, so submit whatever you want as "proof" of whatever happened abroad. You can claim that you had COVID and recovered, or that you were vaccinated, but we will only accept an antibody test taken in Israel in order to view you as immune in any way, shape, or form."

(BTW, this is what I was going crazy over for many months, but for whatever reason, they wouldn't institute such a policy, until they ran out of excuses for their ridiculous policies and instituted this one).

[Dan]

https://www.gov.il/en/departments/guides/flying-to-israel-guidlines?chapterIndex=5

Nice, updated the post.
@ExGingi

[Dan]

Let me translate that into plain English for you:

"We don't trust any foreign documentation, so submit whatever you want as "proof" of whatever happened abroad. You can claim that you had COVID and recovered, or that you were vaccinated, but we will only accept an antibody test taken in Israel in order to view you as immune in any way, shape, or form."

(BTW, this is what I was going crazy over for many months, but for whatever reason, they wouldn't institute such a policy, until they ran out of excuses for their ridiculous policies and instituted this one).

AKA, trust but verify.