In the past month, July 2021, 49,000 tourists entered Israel (with the special permit system, having 1st degree relative, etc plus some approved groups).
In the same time period, 500,000 Israelis left Israel to travel abroad.
Wow. Israelis really didn't like being cooped up over the past year and a half!
If Israelis can travel around the world willy nilly with virtually no limitations and come back to Israel, potentially bringing the virus and its variants back with them, I see no reason to keep such tight limits on tourists entering.
if the airport is going to be open, open it for tourists as well. There is no reason to keep tourists out due to fear of them bringing in the virus while letting Israelis travel freely and bring it back with them.
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of course! none of this makes sense! the israel and US numbers are identical. why would Americans be locked out!? This is insane! You're only realizing this now!?
ReplyDeleteI am ok with them keeping the airport completely shut. I am ok with them keeping the airport completely open. I do not like nonsensical rules, and opening it for some and keeping it closed for others makes no sense.
DeleteNot that I agree 100%, but I think the distinction may be based on the ability to ensure quarantine and social distancing protocols. It's hard enough to enforce these rules on your own citizens. How would you even hope to do so effectively for foreigners?
ReplyDeleteI dont think that is such a big deal. to come in they would need to register a location for quarantine with a phone number for tracking. as deterrence, breaking quarantine would result in a hefty fine and banishment from the country and maybe blacklisted for 5 years or 2 years or whatever.
DeleteI personally think it just happened, sort of by mistake. Initially the airport was opened but only for Israelis. the government could keep Israelis from coming back for elections, which is how it initially was opened, and then they found a way to allow Israelis to travel, green passport and all, but it just stayed closed for tourists. they have been opening it up little by little for tourists whiee it is completely open for Israelis. though it doesnt make sense at this point because Israelis can bring the virus in just as easily as tourists can.
Initially I think there was also a vaccination concern. In Israel the government trusts who got vaccinated and knows who did not. The Israeli government never really trusted the vax records of people from other countries. Since you dont need to be vaccinated to travel now, as they require quarantine, serological tests, etc, there is no reason to continue this policy. Unless they want to limit travel to vaccinated people.
I was planning to come for the Holidays on September 9th, (fully vaccinated). If I need to be quarantined, then would not even able to go to Shul for Yom Kippur and waste a substantial part of my visit under quarantine. Will consider going elsewhere.
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