Israel And Ben Gurion COVID-19 Reopening Master Thread

[Kobe Bryant]

Following meetings with the Health and Interior Ministries, Rabbi Nechemya Malinowitz, head of the Igud of Yeshivas and Seminaries, tells YWN that all Yeshiva Bochrim and Seminary girls will be allowed into Israel after the summer – if they were either vaccinated or can show proof that they have recovered from COVID.

Having anti-bodies will not be accepted by the government, but only positive test results from when the person actually had COVID

[ExGingi]

Following meetings with the Health and Interior Ministries, Rabbi Nechemya Malinowitz, head of the Igud of Yeshivas and Seminaries, tells YWN that all Yeshiva Bochrim and Seminary girls will be allowed into Israel after the summer – if they were either vaccinated or can show proof that they have recovered from COVID.

Having anti-bodies will not be accepted by the government, but only positive test results from when the person actually had COVID

Is this a second time they are flip-flopping on this, or is this just a case of someone being clueless?

DW recovered from COVID-19 in March 2020. Like many, she was never tested for COVID-19 when she had it. For months the Israelis insisted on having a positive PCR test followed by a negative as proof of recovery in order to enter, and refused to accept antibody tests as proof of prior infection. In October 2020 they finally said they would accept (Israeli) antibody tests as proof of prior infection. DW travelled to Israel, only to have them flip-flop on the directive and refuse to accept antibody tests as proof of prior infection. She did take an antibody test at Hadassah at the time, but the MOH refused to accept it even after they updated their procedure in February 2021 to officially accept Israeli antibody tests as proof of prior infection.

On the most recent trip, DW tested for antibodies the day of departure, to see if they are still above the threshold (if not, she would have taken one dose of a vaccine), which they were. Shortly after arrival in EY she took an antibody test at Shamir, which came back a few hours later. DW took the antibody test in the US at the same lab as she took a PCR test for the flight, results were given on the same page. When I submitted the test from Hadassah along with the current negative PCR and the antibody test from Shamir, they declined to release her from Isolation claiming that the proof of infection (positive antibody test from US) was only one day prior to the antibody test taken in Israel. I subsequently submitted an older antibody test from the US, along with the test from Hadassah, and they accepted those as proof of earlier infection and cancelled her bidud.

[AsherO]

On the most recent trip, DW tested for antibodies the day of departure, to see if they are still above the threshold (if not, she would have taken one dose of a vaccine)

JFYI would likely take more than one day for vaccine to boost antibodies.

[davidd75]

Antibody is more.
Was told there is a place in har nof called beit hadfus for 100 shekel.

thanks!
 so as far as you know best priced options for foreigners near Jerusalem is 170 shekels for PCR at Refuit and maybe 100 shekels  for antibody at beit hadfus?

[satturn]

thanks!
 so as far as you know best priced options for foreigners near Jerusalem is 170 shekels for PCR at Refuit and maybe 100 shekels  for antibody at beit hadfus?

This is incorrect. There is a 100nis pcr test at 22 beit hadfus. You need to sign up at aidg.co.il
There is no antibodies test that cheap in Jerusalem.

[satturn]

Refuit has a test for 170nis. Mada has for 135. Ichud hatzala is 270.sharrei tzedek is 260 for Israeli citizens.
thanks!
 so as far as you know best priced options for foreigners near Jerusalem is 170 shekels for PCR at Refuit and maybe 100 shekels  for antibody at beit hadfus?
[/quote]

[ExGingi]

JFYI would likely take more than one day for vaccine to boost antibodies.

Source?

I know for a fact that 6 days later there was a major boost. I don't have any other DP to reference, have you seen any?

[AsherO]

Source?

I know for a fact that 6 days later there was a major boost. I don't have any other DP to reference, have you seen any?

Haven't, but I've seen a study designed to test antibody response to vaccination consider an antibody test administered up to three days after vaccination as a "before" data point.

[ExGingi]

Haven't, but I've seen a study designed to test antibody response to vaccination consider an antibody test administered up to three days after vaccination as a "before" data point.

The difference between academic studies and real-world experience. Also, is that study looking at recoverees? If not then we're talking apples vs oranges.

[aygart]

https://chaimvchessed.com/student-entry-process-approved/

[ExGingi]

https://chaimvchessed.com/student-entry-process-approved/

I don't see a source for the requirement to present a positive PCR test to prove recovery. However, those aren't that hard to obtain.

[davidd75]

This is incorrect. There is a 100nis pcr test at 22 beit hadfus. You need to sign up at aidg.co.il
There is no antibodies test that cheap in Jerusalem.

100 nis at 22 beit hadfus is for foreigners as well?

[aygart]

I don't see a source for the requirement to present a positive PCR test to prove recovery. However, those aren't that hard to obtain.

Isn't that the only way they consider someone recovered other than Israeli antibody test?

[davidd75]

This is incorrect. There is a 100nis pcr test at 22 beit hadfus. You need to sign up at aidg.co.il
There is no antibodies test that cheap in Jerusalem.

so cheapest antibody test in Israel is where and how much?
in or near Jerusalem?

[satturn]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lF14LuxDKrwPCUc2ZdMbhHoplTQcaQmfS02I4GsnGlI/edit?usp=drivesdk

[ExGingi]

Isn't that the only way they consider someone recovered other than Israeli antibody test?

AFAIK as of around February 2021 they ceased to accept foreign positive PCR tests as proof of prior infection and started requiring an Israeli antibody test.

The bidud cancellation form has an option to attach proof of prior infection, and proof of recovery. I have attached various documents at various times for different people, including US vaccination card, US antibody tests, etc.

[satturn]

100 nis at 22 beit hadfus is for foreigners as well?

Yes. Big lines at the Jerusalem branch. And afternoon and evening hours only

[VLK]

Got an appointment to get an Israeli visa in the consulate in Washington DC for next week. They said I need to bring bank statements. What will they be looking for ?

BUMP

[ExGingi]

Yes. Big lines at the Jerusalem branch. And afternoon and evening hours only

Last week I made the latest available appointment for a drive-in test at the airport. Appointment was for 10:40pm, I showed up about 11:10. It was the best experience I had with a PCR test. Virtually no waiting. All done within the comfort of a car. Lowest price (other than editing a PDF on my own).

[davidd75]

Last week I made the latest available appointment for a drive-in test at the airport. Appointment was for 10:40pm, I showed up about 11:10. It was the best experience I had with a PCR test. Virtually no waiting. All done within the comfort of a car. Lowest price (other than editing a PDF on my own).

whom did you use and how much?
foreigners same price?