News, 28.7.2021

The coronavirus news in Israel

Wearing a face mask is mandatory in indoor public areas in Israel. Foreign nationals must have an entry permit to Israel. Air travel to and from Israel is subject to entry and outbound clearances. All passengers arriving in Israel must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result to airline staff. Passengers with an Israeli COVID certificate are required to enter isolation until they receive COVID-19 negative test results to a test that they must take on arrival in Israel, or isolate for 24 hours (whichever is earlier). Travellers who were vaccinated or recovered outside of Israel must enter isolation, but they can apply for an exemption by taking a serological test in an accredited Israeli laboratory. Persons who are not vaccinated are required to quarantine for 14 days. There is an option to shorten the isolation period, if two PCR test results are negative: the first test, which is mandatory for all travelers, must be taken when you arrive in Israel; the second test is taken on the seventh day of isolation. All passengers who have visited destinations included by Israel in the list of countries with the highest COVID-19 risk are required to enter isolation 7-14 days. Full guidance can be found from the Israeli Ministry of Health website. Rules and regulations might change at short notice.

Entering Israel

Israel has restriction in place for non-resident foreign nationals entering the country. The entry of foreign nationals into Israel will be exceptionally approved in some cases, such as business travel. Foreign nationals must contact the Israeli Embassy where the foreigner resides regarding the entry clearance to Israel.

A tourist visa will not be automatically extended, despite of the coronavirus situation. Tourists must exit Israel before the visa expires. In exceptional cases, tourists can apply for a visa extension from the Population Administration Office.

Further information:

 

Restrictions

There are currently no restrictions on movement. Gatherings over 100 persons can only be attended by persons with a COVID certificate (Green Pass). A two-meter social distance is to be maintained between people. It is mandatory to wear a mask in indoor public spaces. Israel no longer requires people to wear masks outdoors.  

Transit through Israel is not possible. Air travel to and from Israel is subject to entry and outbound clearances. Foreign nationals must have an entry permit to Israel. This does not apply to foreign nationals who are currently in Israel, or to people who have a vaccination or recovery certificates from Israel Ministry of Health.

There may be restrictions on civilian traffic between Israel and the Palestinian Territories and the opening hours of the checkpoints may vary.

Local restrictions on movement are possible on short notice. Please follow advice from local authorities and stay informed of the situation through the local media.

Further information:

 

Health

It is required to wear a mask in indoor public areas.

The HaMagen app is endorsed by the Ministry of Health. The app cross checks the GPS history of your mobile phone with historical geographic data of patients from the Ministry of Health.

HaMagen is available in five languages: Hebrew, Arabic, English, Russian and Amharic.

Persons with any flu symptoms are instructed to stay at home. Those with severe symptoms are to contact the MDA Emergency Services Hotline 101. A person with a temperature over 38 Celsius and with respiratory symptoms (breathing difficulties or cough) should remain at home for two days after the body temperature has normalized, regardless of whether COVID-19 testing is required.

Information on the coronavirus from the Ministry of Health hotline: *5400 (Hebrew) or 08 624 1010 (service also in English).

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Services

Shops, malls, markets, museums, libraries and restaurants are open. Public transport is in operation.

Further information:

 

Penalties in violating the restrictions

Masks are obligatory in indoor public areas and in public transportation. This rule does not concern children under 7 years. Violating the restrictions is punishable by a fine.

Further information:

 

The Embassy Customer Service

Embassy customer service is open. We admit passport applications as well as population registry- and notary notifications, by appointment only.

Schengen Visa and residence permit applications can be submitted with some restrictions. Kindly contact the Embassy by phone or email prior to appointment booking.

Book an appointment(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Upon arrival, we ask you to observe the guidelines and restrictions of movement, currently effective in Israel.

  • The customers shall wash or disinfect their hands upon arrival at the Consulate and at leaving the premises
  • It is obligatory to wear a face mask
  • The customers’ leaving and arrival time will be documented in an Embassy guestbook

We serve you by phone Mondays to Fridays from 9 to 12 am.

Due to the Corona situation, our delivery- and processing times might be longer than normal.

Telephone: +972 3 745 6600

Consular emergencies outside office hours: +358 9 160 55555 (no visa inquiries).

E-mail (inquiries): sanomat.tel@formin.fi (Opens New Window)

Facebook: Finnish Embassy Tel Aviv(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Twitter: @FinIsrael(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Embassy website(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Customer service appointment booking(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

 

Further information:

 

Travel notification / Finns abroad

If you are a Finn living abroad, or you are residing in Finland, we recommend you to fill out the travel notification form online: Finns abroad / Travel notification(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window).

If you already have submitted the travel notification and your stay abroad gets extended, it is advisable to update your travel notification. This will ensure that we will know if you are still in the country and can send you advisories and questionnaires during the crisis. If you are registered in the Travel Notification system, you can update your information yourself. If you have not registered yet, you can make a new notification online.

If your travel notification does not have an end date, or you have returned to Finland earlier than planned, it is advisable to remove the notification. If you have registered in the Travel Notification system, you can remove the notification yourself. If you have not registered, you can send an email to konsulipalvelut.um@formin.fi (Opens New Window) requesting the removal of the notification. Kindly note that processing might take longer at times.