Israel Welcomes Its First Post-COVID-19 Tour Group
As vaccination rollouts continue around the world, many countries are gradually reopening their borders to vaccinated international travelers. Israel is the latest, as it has just welcomed its first group of tourists since the COVID-19 pandemic began last year. A British group, flying to Israel via British Airways, recently landed and will be spending ten days exploring the wonders of the country. No doubt, travelers from other nations will also soon be flying into Israel.
Israel welcomes British tour group
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began early in 2020, Israel has reopened its borders to welcome a group of vaccinated British tourists. The group of 30 travelers flew to Israel with British Airways and will be in the country for a ten-day period, visiting places like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea.
The group of British travelers was welcomed and greeted at the terminal by representatives of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. The representatives escorted the newly arrived visitors through the routine immigration process, along with a recently introduced PCR testing center, mandated by Israeli law for all incoming tourists.
Israel is running a pilot program for vaccinated tour groups
This first group of British tourists forms part of a pilot Israel is running for vaccinated tour groups. The pilot scheme is set to determine the best way to reopen Israel’s borders to vaccinated international travelers.
There is definitely hope for vaccinated travelers from other countries, as so far, the pilot program has been successful. In fact, it is expected that Israel will reopen its borders to individual vaccinated travelers by as soon as July 1.
World leader in the vaccination rollout
It turns out Israel is a world leader when it comes to its vaccination rollout, as some 85 percent of the country’s adult population has already been vaccinated. Reportedly, the rollout has successfully curbed the spread of COVID-19. Due to that fact, the requirement for wearing masks indoors has now been lifted, marking the end of one of the final major COVID-19 restrictions remaining in the country.
TTG Media quotes Sharon Bershadsky, director of the Israel Tourist Office UK, as saying in a statement, “We are delighted to welcome the first organized British tourist group to visit Israel in over a year.”
“Israel has always been an attractive destination for British travelers, with unparalleled historic and religious sites sacred to three religions, vibrant cities, delicious food and friendly people.”
“With Israel one of the few countries on the green list and with Israel set to open up further to international tourists ahead of the summer, we hope that this group will be the first of many to come holiday in Israel,” she added.
American travelers hoping to visit Israel can check out the latest status on the website of the US Embassy in Israel here.
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