Israel And Ben Gurion COVID-19 Reopening Master Thread

[ad120]

that's it? no forms to fill out?

Correct
If your flight departs on 4/2 you need to get tested on 4/1 not before. The flight departure time doesn't matter.

[elimmm]

Is their a waiver for expiring passports?
In other words, must passport be valid for 6 months or so... when entering Israel?
If yes, can my return flight be within 6 months of expiration?

[NTorch]

Is their a waiver for expiring passports?
In other words, must passport be valid for 6 months or so... when entering Israel?
If yes, can my return flight be within 6 months of expiration?

Israel does not require that you have 6 months on your passport, only the airlines care about it.

[Happyguy]

As of Saturday evening 770 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, among them 290 whose condition is serious or worse. Of those, 142 patients are in critical condition, with 123 intubated and 20 on ECMO (heart and lung) machines.

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/324682

[LizR]

I just got back from Israel. People should be aware that Ben Gurion airport is a zoo. Checkin from beginning to get to your gate takes approximately 2 hours or more. Wasn’t just my experience, relatives traveling all week had the same experience. There’s just not enough staff. Give yourself enough time at the airport

[moko]

I just got back from Israel. People should be aware that Ben Gurion airport is a zoo. Checkin from beginning to get to your gate takes approximately 2 hours or more. Wasn’t just my experience, relatives traveling all week had the same experience. There’s just not enough staff. Give yourself enough time at the airport

not my experience a few weeks ago.
Both on entry and exit my quickest time ever at TLV

Entry 40 min from deplane to rental car.
Exit 20 min curbside to clear security

[LizR]

not my experience a few weeks ago.
Both on entry and exit my quickest time ever at TLV

Entry 40 min from deplane to rental car.
Exit 20 min curbside to clear security

There are twice as many people traveling now then a few weeks ago

[moish]

not my experience a few weeks ago.
Both on entry and exit my quickest time ever at TLV

Entry 40 min from deplane to rental car.
Exit 20 min curbside to clear security

A few weeks ago was an eternity ago. It is now a disaster

[shmooz]

A few weeks ago was an eternity ago. It is now a disaster

+1, also it appears there is sometimes a business line to clear security questions and sometimes not, so you need to assume not.

[ExGingi]

Seeing various reports of what is going on now in TLV, makes me think that making the a choice to fly out of TLV is a form of masochism. It must be really bad in that country to have so many people willing to subject themselves to that.

[LizR]

Update: my brother is at the airport right now. The place was so muddled when he got there that people did not know that they had to clear security before going to the check-in desks, and made their way straight to check-in.  Some  waited an hour by the check-in desk only to be told you haven’t passed security and was sent back to the security which is right at the beginning when you enter the terminal. And many people missed their flights. So be aware as soon as you enter the airport, you have to go to the security line before the check-in desks. I know most people probably already know this, but there may be some who don’t

[LongTimeLurker]

It must be really bad in that country to have so many people willing to subject themselves to that.

Dude, we get it, you don't like Israel. stop talking about it and move on.

[PlatinumGuy]

Any reports of arrival process in the past few weeks?

[Traveler718]

My son is flying back TLV-LHR-JFK this week. Just to confirm, other than getting a negative Covid test the day before departure (and showing up extra early and clearing security before going to check-in), is there anything else he needs to do Covid-related or otherwise? And any recommendations for an efficient and cheap Covid testing place near Geulah/Meah Shearim?

[importantq]

Having trouble finding answers to any of these questions - can someone please help:

1. Does NAAT count as a PCR or is Ben Gurion makpid on PCR only?
2. How can I show certificate of recovery from US - is antibody infusion sufficient?
3. How long after positive result does the recovery last for - some place says 60 days and in other places 180 days.

[njmacman]

We have an interesting problem that many will have. My kids and their families (10 total people) are on the El Al flight leaving Israel right after Shabbat April 23/24. The day before is chag. The flight is 12ish AM. Where can they go to do the 24 hour testing to return to US if the day before is a chag? How fast is the Emed home testing- we would have to do 10 of them right after Shabbat, like the other few hundred passengers on the plane? Thanks.

[jojo-nj]

Thought this link might be helpful for testing locations in Israel.

https://chaimvchessed.com/information/corona/corona-testing/

[yelped]

We have an interesting problem that many will have. My kids and their families (10 total people) are on the El Al flight leaving Israel right after Shabbat April 23/24. The day before is chag. The flight is 12ish AM. Where can they go to do the 24 hour testing to return to US if the day before is a chag? How fast is the Emed home testing- we would have to do 10 of them right after Shabbat, like the other few hundred passengers on the plane? Thanks.

Many are hoping for mask and test requirements to be dropped April 18.

[njmacman]

Thanks.

[njmacman]

Many are hoping for mask and test requirements to be dropped April 18.

Halevai!