Israel to lift travel ban from US and UK despite Omicron outbreak
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Israel’s health ministry said on Thursday that several countries, including the United States, would be removed from the “red list” of prohibited sites due to COVID-19, despite a rise in infections caused by Omicron variants.
“The Ministry of Health recommends that the government remove all countries from the red list,” he said in a statement. The decision takes effect on Thursday, according to the ministry, adding that it is “subject to government approval.”
The ministry said the measure was taken “in proportion to community spread of infections from those entering Israel”.
Apart from the United States, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mexico, Switzerland and Turkey will be removed from the list of banned destinations.
Last month, Israel banned travel to “red” destinations in an attempt to stem an Omicron-driven increase in cases.
That ban followed a measure adopted in late November that barred all foreign tourists from entering. This week, Israel announced that vaccinated visitors from low-risk countries could enter the country.
DAC/HKB/MAB/JS
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