US, Other Countries to be Classified by Israel as Red at Midnight: More Details

By Staff Reporter
Posted on 12/21/21 | News Source: Chaim V'Chessed

As reported by Chaim V’Chessed, Israel will classify the United States, Canada, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Morocco, Portugal, Switzerland and Turkey as Red countries. This will take effect at midnight tonight (between Tuesday and Wednesday).

We can now report that those holding entry permits will continue to be allowed to enter Israel, provided the permit was issued after November 28. Furthermore, after intensive lobbying, student visa holders who left Israel prior to December 22 will be allowed to return to Israel without obtaining a special permit.

Visa holders who leave Israel and travel to country once it is classified as Red, will not be permitted to return to Israel, as long as that locale remains Red. Furthermore, the exceptions which are granted entry to Israel will be severely limited.

Israelis and permanent residents seeking to travel to a Red country must first obtain permission, by applying to the Exceptions Committee (Vaadat Charigim). Learn more about the Exceptions Committee here.

Travelers landing in Israel from Red countries will be subject to the following rules. This will also apply to travelers who depart countries such as the United States today, December 21, but arrive in Israel tomorrow, December 22.

All travelers, foreign or Israeli, will need to quarantine for fourteen days upon return from Red countries. This can be shortened to seven days with a negative PCR test on the first and seventh days when returning from a red country, as follows:
- Vaccinated/ Recovered will sign a consent form at the airport, and quarantine at home
- Non-vaccinated/ Recovered will be sent to a corona hotel until receipt of their first PCR test results. If negative, they will sign a form and go home to finish quarantine. If positive, they will need to finish their quarantine in the corona hotel.

This is a developing situation, and changes may yet occur.