Israel has eased its travel ban on non-Israeli citizens entering the country.

The measure is for business travellerrs deemed vital to Israel’s economy and not possible by virtual meetings.

The sanction had been in place since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Businesspeople can now apply for a permit to enter Israel from ‘green’ countries. Visitors will not need to present a negative coronavirus test or enter quarantine on arrival in Israel. 

They will also not have to self-isolate for seven days.

The Economy Ministry announced the welcome update that comes on the back of a number of normalisation agreements with Arab countries, which will increase flights between the nations.

“Entry to Israel will be possible only for visitors whose contribution to Israeli companies or the economy is vital and only in situations where it is not possible to conduct virtual meetings,” the ministry noted in a statement. “This is in order to allow the continued proper functioning of Israeli companies and to prevent damage to them or the economy during the coronavirus pandemic.”

An addendum to the latest policy is that anyone on a connecting flight via a “red” country can enter Israel without quarantining if they did not leave an airport in the ‘red’ country and was in transit less than 12 hours.

The Economy Ministry, Health Ministry, Foreign Ministry and Interior Ministry agreed the plan.

Israel introduced the Green list in August. Latest data illustrates under 30 countries on the list which is updated periodically. Details are on the Ministry of Health website.

Green countries include Australia, Canada, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Rwanda, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Uruguay.

Greece and Italy are expected to move into the “red” category this week, the United Kingdom and United States was placed in this section last week.