Israel
has decided to allow unvaccinated people to visit the country from March 1 to
give a boost to the tourism industry which has been one of the worst-hit
sectors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also Read: Poverty, fear drive exodus from Raqqa, Syria’s one-time IS capital

All
incoming tourists, however, will need to produce negative PCR test results
before and after their arrival in Israel. This will be the first time unvaccinated
visitors will be allowed into the country since March 2020, reported CNN.

For
Israeli citizens, returning to the country will only need to take a PCR test
upon landing at the airport. The previous requirement for an antigen test
before boarding the flight will be ineffective from March 1.

Also Read: Israel blocked Iron Dome defence system sale to Ukraine to avoid Russia reaction: report

In
the meantime, unvaccinated Israeli nationals will no longer have to serve a quarantine period as long as their PCR test results are negative.

The
decision is taken after Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett held discussions
with Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz on easing coronavirus restrictions for tourists.

Also Read: Israel PM Naftali Bennett warns of Iran’s threat in historic 1st Bahrain visit

“We
are seeing a steady decline in the morbidity data; therefore, this is the time
to gradually open what we were the first in the world to close,” Prime
Minister Bennett said in a statement on Sunday.

COVID-19
cases in Israel have declined significantly over the past few weeks. After
reporting a record-high 617,565 new cases for the week ending January 30,
Israel logged 126,762 new cases in the past week, revealing data from Johns
Hopkins University.

Also Read: Israel to probe use of homegrown Pegasus spyware by police on citizens’ phones

Since
the COVD-19 pandemic hit Israel in March 2020, the tourism industry in-country
is estimated to have cost the Israeli economy more than $7.02 billion,
according to the Israeli Tourism Ministry. Israel had a record tourist turnout
the year before the pandemic, with 4.55 million visitors in 2019, adding $7.2
billion to the local economy.

Also Read: Israeli Police used Pegasus spyware to hack phones of prominent citizens: Report

Israel
allowed tourists who have taken double doses to visit the country since
November, subject to pre-and post-flight PCR tests and a short quarantine,
although tourist numbers have remained low.