Ben Gurion TLV Natbag Post COVID-19 Restrictions Master Thread

[ExGingi]

I once flew on Motzaei Yom Kippur and the lines were literally through the door, and they kept the line moving at speeds I’ve never seen.

That's after 26 hours with 0 flights and 0 passengers.

[Sam Finkelstein]

That's after 26 hours with 0 flights and 0 passengers.

And everyone was arriving much closer to the flight time. I recall traffic being pretty heavy on the way into the airport.

[ExGingi]

And everyone was arriving much closer to the flight time. I recall traffic being pretty heavy on the way into the airport.

Arriving much earlier isn't an option then.

[Yosel]

I hope this doesn't become mandatory again...
Starting on Wednesday, Aug. 24, Ben-Gurion International Airport will reinstate a service that most travelers probably didn't miss – PCR testing for people entering Israel.

The tests are being funded by the government and are voluntary, at least for now. The purpose of the program is to make PCR testing easily accessible for people entering the country ahead of winter, when COVID numbers are projected to spike.

In the first phase of the new rollout, testing will be carried out from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Later, testing will be available around the clock. Travelers who want to be tested can avail themselves of the service in the G zone of the arrivals hall after collecting their baggage.

Once incoming flights land, passengers will receive text messages from the Health Ministry encouraging them to be tested before leaving the airport.
https://www.israelhayom.com/2022/08/23/israel-reinstates-pcr-tests-at-ben-gurion-airport/

arrive at נתב״ג yesterday, saw nothing Covid related anywhere. One guy (goy) was asking the car rental company, where the Covid stand is, he didn’t know anything about it

[ExGingi]

The tests are being funded by the government and are voluntary, at least for now. The purpose of the program is to make PCR testing easily accessible for people entering the country ahead of winter, when COVID numbers are projected to spike.

In the first phase of the new rollout, testing will be carried out from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Later, testing will be available around the clock. Travelers who want to be tested can avail themselves of the service in the G zone of the arrivals hall after collecting their baggage.

Once incoming flights land, passengers will receive text messages from the Health Ministry encouraging them to be tested before leaving the airport.
https://www.israelhayom.com/2022/08/23/israel-reinstates-pcr-tests-at-ben-gurion-airport/

All indications here are that this is intended for Israelis. It doesn't sound like this will be available to tourists (funded by the government, passengers will receive text messages upon landing).

[PlatinumGuy]

The objectives are minimizing covid spread and funding the covid testers, both apply equally to tourists. I'm sure there won't be any distinction.

[ExGingi]

The objectives are minimizing covid spread and funding the covid testers, both apply equally to tourists. I'm sure there won't be any distinction.

Possibly. But from the way it seems like this operation is being set up, with SMS messages upon landing, Gov't funding (likely via Kupat Cholim) it is mostly targeted at residents returning from abroad. Logic has never been part of the equation.

[CanadianJew]

Any more recent dp on how early to arrive at the airport? I have a 11:45am flight Monday.
Also, I have a duffel bag, where is the separate line for that? By checkin or security?

[Danlover111]

Any more recent dp on how early to arrive at the airport? I have a 11:45am flight Monday.
Also, I have a duffel bag, where is the separate line for that? By checkin or security?

After checkin.

[rbs-g1.5]

Any more recent dp on how early to arrive at the airport? I have a 11:45am flight Monday.
Also, I have a duffel bag, where is the separate line for that? By checkin or security?

i flew aug.9 the lines moved quickly .i arrived 3 hours before the flight and it was major overkill.
in the hallway between check in and security is the dropoff for duffel bags.Its not necessarily a line but could take a few minutes to get it x-rayed and then sent on an elevator.

[moish]

Its not necessarily a line but could take a few minutes to get it x-rayed and then sent on an elevator.

Or it could be a long line

[CanadianJew]

Thanks!
Any mehadrin food options in the airport? (Not sure if discussed elsewhere but couldn't find it)

[Moshe Green]

Thanks!
Any mehadrin food options in the airport? (Not sure if discussed elsewhere but couldn't find it)

define mehadrin

[CanadianJew]

define mehadrin

Didn't want to open a can of worms.. so I figured I'd let people post what there is and then id decide if its up to my standards..
But the guidance I was given was aida, rubin, landa, agudas yisroe,l chasam sofer bneinbrak, igud, and rabanut yerushalaim mehadrin.
Don't stone me, I'm just following what I was told and have no idea as to why these and not others;)

[moko]

Thanks!
Any mehadrin food options in the airport? (Not sure if discussed elsewhere but couldn't find it)

pretty sure the only place claiming to be mehadrin is Aroma under CCPT

[Moshe Green]

pretty sure the only place claiming to be mehadrin is Aroma under CCPT

yeah you can probly buy a coffee with no milk there and be safe

[Gvann]

If you don’t check anything do you have to go through first security and check in lines or go straight to gate security?

[moko]

If you don’t check anything do you have to go through first security and check in lines or go straight to gate security?

pretty sure your passport and carry-on bags receive tags as well

[cozmohoot]

If you don’t check anything do you have to go through first security and check in lines or go straight to gate security?

I walked straight to gate security but then they sent me back 100 feet to get a sticker on my passport. No stickers on carry ons.
Not sure why there were no signs saying everyone has to 1st go to F section.
Lady first asked a few security questions before putting sticker on passport

[moko]

pretty sure your passport and carry-on bags receive tags as well

just checked my bags.... Wheeled carry-on got tagged but not the knapsack