Israel And Ben Gurion COVID-19 Reopening Master Thread

[bigdipper8545]

They may have zeroed out all those flights to give priority to those originally booked on the cancelled flights, not necessarily as a precursor to those flights being cancelled themselves or even being actually sold out.

The email I got said it was cancelled due to Israeli Gov travel restrictions...

[mijo]

Mini TR for UA91 last night
Did a PCR test on Thursday morning (07:25 am) with my local Macabi clinic (free), result received in the app by 22:30, that's when I checked.  Only got an SMS on Friday morning telling me that my result was in.  Printed the PCR result in english via the app.  Note, if you want your english name in the מכבי system you need to ask a secretary to add it to the כוכב (ie old black and green) system.

Completed the exit health declaration on the gov.il site (can't find the link anymore, sorry) - and printed it.

At the airport, the only document checked before entering the building was the health form.  Those that didn't have it, could use the two kiosks before entering the building.

Security guard took my temperature and gave me a green arm band (he said, don't worry, just hold it, you don't need to put it on).

There were just 3 flights DL and LY to JFK and UA to EWR, security was quick, check-in also quick, only asked to see my PCR test in English.

Only Ilan's Coffee, small Duty Free shop in section B and 1 Chabbad guy - however, all this changed today with no exit requirements (based on the pictures on the https://www.instagram.com/bengurionairport_tlv/ feed)

Flight was normal service, with a LHR based crew, who were shocked at such a full flight, "haven't seen more than 30 people on a 787 since March 2020)

Kosher and Regular meals (Business) were smaller than before, no starter.
Exiting the aircraft per groups of 3-5 rows, everyone else was asked to remain seated.

Arrival in EWR terminal B, immigration was empty, Delhi flight arrived just after us (BH).

No questions, documents etc requested.  Only a few staff reminding people to keep their masks UP.

[Ploni3]

The email I got said it was cancelled due to Israeli Gov travel restrictions...

You received an email about which flight?  One showing as cancelled or showing as zero availability in all classes?

[flyingace]

Does Elal accept PCR done more than 72 hours, but still three days?

[Dan]

Does Elal accept PCR done more than 72 hours, but still three days?

Israel requires 72 hours.

[flyingace]

You received an email about which flight?  One showing as cancelled or showing as zero availability in all classes?

I got a notice that the flight was cancelled with no options for rebooking.

[Ergel]

I posted about Antibody tests, not PCR tests.

PCR tests - check2fly.co.il is ILS 45 at the airport.

I took a "slow test" at 1:45pm and got results at 8:47pm. And thanks to @nafnaf12 was on a 11:50pm flight.

Check2fly.co.il at the airport were a little bit of a PITA as they asked to see an itinerary, and the one I had was for more than 72 hours out, and they insisted on telling me how the test will not be valid for that flight, yada yada.

Also noteworthy, that if you go to the airport for the test, ignore the signs about מתחם בדיקות קורונה or whatever it is called. Head to terminal 3 door 3 (arrivals). Once you walk in you will make a right and go towards door 1 where you sign in, and around door 2 is where you get the actual test.

If you aren't price-sensitive and just want VIP service (someone coming to you, and fast results) call Itzik Benjamin +972-54-797-9203 (he's in Bnei Brak, I'm sure there are many others around).

Thank you. Still trying to figure out what we are doing. My wife's grandmother is in hospice and we would love to get there before or at least for a funeral. As of now, we are on a United flight next week. Working on getting documentation and starting the process with vaad hacharigah. Hoping that there is a little less backlog now that it's only for non-green passports

[flyingace]

Israel requires 72 hours.

To leave the country? The CDC says specifically three days not 72 hours. Instead of leaving Monday morning he's now leaving Monday night. Took his PCR on Friday.

[PlatinumGuy]

Any details on criteria for permission for foreign nationals to enter?

I believe it’s not even clear who has authority to approve... I think they don’t want to give it back to the embassies bc the Foreign ministry is controlled by the opposition, and I believe the exceptions committee lost its mandate today.

[PlatinumGuy]

To leave the country? The CDC says specifically three days not 72 hours. Instead of leaving Monday morning he's now leaving Monday night. Took his PCR on Friday.

A delay to after midnight will be a problem, worth taking a backup test...

[flyingace]

A delay to after midnight will be a problem, worth taking a backup test...

Thanks.

[PlatinumGuy]

Thank you. Still trying to figure out what we are doing. My wife's grandmother is in hospice and we would love to get there before or at least for a funeral. As of now, we are on a United flight next week. Working on getting documentation and starting the process with vaad hacharigah. Hoping that there is a little less backlog now that it's only for non-green passports

Go via London. Israelis and Americans allowed in and decent Sofitel attached to T5.

[Dan]

To leave the country? The CDC says specifically three days not 72 hours. Instead of leaving Monday morning he's now leaving Monday night. Took his PCR on Friday.

https://www.dansdeals.com/airfare-deals/israel-flights/israel-will-remain-closed-foreign-nationals-least-march-20th-airport-now-open-flights-8-airports/

[aygart]

Go via London. Israelis and Americans allowed in and decent Sofitel attached to T5.

Not so easy anymore.

[PlatinumGuy]

I guess it's just covered in the catch all " unless exempt." Surprising it leaves it vague though.

Don’t they need to fill the declaration and then get an automatic approval?

[Ergel]

Go via London. Israelis and Americans allowed in and decent Sofitel attached to T5.

Thanks, will definitely look into that.

BH my wife got Covid end of December and got to see her grandmother one last time a few weeks later.
It's so hard to plan right now, so close to Pesach and not sure if we can all get out or not.

[bp27]

My son was on UA91 for tomorrow, which we all know was cancelled. Just booked him on VS via LHR for next week. What are the chances of that flying?

[PlatinumGuy]

Not so easy anymore.

To get space? Arkia & Israir flights were wide open last I checked

My son was on UA91 for tomorrow, which we all know was cancelled. Just booked him on VS via LHR for next week. What are the chances of that flying?

Close to 100%. VS CEO is Israeli and they just loaded those flights this weekend.

[PlatinumGuy]

So...what's the consensus on Israeli's traveling with kids for Pesach?
Is the below true? What qualifies as humanitarian reasons?


Also, what I don't get it is, if the fear is vaccine evading mutation - why more fear for non-vaccinated than vaccinated (especially if the non-vaccinated have to quarantine)

Dov Lipman is not at all reliable on these matters, despite his authoritative tone. He often misunderstands explicit rules & procedures.

Humanitarian is YMMV

[Dan]

Dov Lipman is not at all reliable on these matters, despite his authoritative tone. He often misunderstands explicit rules & procedures.

Humanitarian is YMMV

Yup, I've called him out on being wrong in the past. Usually he just deletes it.