When will Israel open its borders to Greece and during coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2021?

  Borders Partially Restricted

2019 divided the history of most countries into «before» and «after». We are talking about a pandemic that has swept the whole world. The SARS-CoV-2 virus was first identified among residents of Hubei province (China). In just a few months, a disease called Covid-19 has spread to the inhabitants of the entire planet. Greece and Israel were not an exception.

Why is covid so dangerous? Regardless of the level of development of a particular state, medical care and other factors, millions of people have become victims of the coronavirus. According to the latest data, this figure is 177 039 062 people, among the total — 3 832 951 deaths. The main symptoms of the disease are: shortness of breath, high fever, dry cough, loss of taste and smell. The world’s leading countries have developed or are working on the production of their own vaccines that protect against COVID-19. Naturally, vaccination is not a 100% guarantee of protection against coronavirus, however, when infected, the disease is transferred much easier.

According to current data (statistics for Saturday, 5 June 2021), the number of cases in Israel is 839 566 people, total deaths are 6418, and 216 are sick right now. Such statistics forced the government of the state of Israel to impose certain restrictions on flights and border crossing.

Is it allowed to enter Israel from Greece?

Current statistics on the restrictions on entry to Israel:

• Open to citizens: Yes
• Open to s: Partially
• Open to foreigners and tourists: Partially
• Quarantine (lockdown) in Israel: Partial

During the most «acute» periods of the pandemic, the following restrictions are applied in Israel:

1. Foreigners can enter the territory of Israel only if absolutely necessary: study in Israel, employment, residence permit. For more information about the conditions of entry, read the official sources of the government: https://govextra.gov.il/ministry-of-health/corona/corona-virus-en/
2. Availability of the test: Negative PCR test is required for all countries.

All countries are divided into 3 main categories by the Ministry of Health:

• «Green» (low rate of spread of coronavirus)
• «Orange» (average rate of spread of coronavirus)
• «Red» (high rate of spread of coronavirus)

In this regard, the government acts in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Association. The distribution of states into separate categories is updated regularly. At the moment, Greece ranks among the states of the «Orange» category.

The main reasons for the introduction of new restrictions are coronavirus mutations, an increase in the number of cases, and insufficient vaccination rates.

Rules for entering Israel from Greece in 2021

At the moment, Israel is partially opened to foreigners, including s. Quarantine measures are applied to tourism and trade.

Before travelling to Israel, s must pass the PCR test no earlier than 72 hours in advance and submit a written document of an international standard (in English). Also, at the time of arrival, there should be no signs of SARS (fever, chills, runny nose, cough, etc.).

Is it necessary to comply with quarantine and take a PCR test when entering Israel?

Negative PCR test is required for all countries.

Quarantine for 14 days required for some countries.

For which countries are the borders with Israel open?

Today (Saturday, 5 June 2021) the borders of Israel are fully open for 0/ 32 countries, partially open for 51/ 32 countries. See how we collect data and find out why not all countries are included in the statistics.

List of countries for which the borders with Estonia are partially or completely open:

In Israel, bars and restaurants work only for delivery, only essential shops are opened. Public events (exhibitions, concerts, museums, etc.) are allowed but with restrictions.

Foreigners can cross the border if all the conditions for entering the country are strictly kept to:

Due to the high infection rates and global spread of variants of concern, all passengers who visit the Ukraine, Argentina, Ethiopia, Brazil, South Africa, India, Mexico, Russia, and Turkey within 14 days prior to arrival in Israel must go into isolation, including recovered and vaccinated passengers.This requirement does not apply to vaccinated or recovered people who have a 12-hour layover (or shorter) in one of the aforementioned locations.Foreign nationals who arrive from these locations must go into isolation in an accommodation (motel) allocated by the State of Israel.All passengers arriving in Israel that their itinerary was 72 hours or longer must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result to airline staff. The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure to Israel. This requirement applies to people with a vaccination certificate or a certificate of recovery. Entry to Israel depends on complying with this requirement.Passengers arriving in Israel who cannot take a PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure to Israel because of humanitarian grounds, or special personal needs, or if it is physically impossible to gain access to PCR testing in the location they are flying from may apply to the Exceptions Committee.All passengers (Israeli citizens and foreign nationals), including vaccinated and recovered passengers, who arrive in Israel must submit an entry statement. In the statement form, passengers are required to fill out their personal information, the address of the accommodation where they will isolate, and a health declaration. The statement form should be filled out within 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time to Israel, preferably as close as possible to departure time. We recommend arriving in the airport with the clearance and the form filled out which can be a digital file or a printout. Passengers who must go into isolation must use this form to report the isolation address.Those who have a valid Israel Ministry of Health vaccination or recovery certificate are not required to go into isolation upon arrival, if they do not arrive from the locations specified above.If you are not vaccinated or recovered, you will have to go into isolation and comply with isolation requirements and guidance. (https://bit.ly/3fwL36C)Information on exemption from isolation for people who recovered or got vaccinated abroad. (https://bit.ly/2R4GdUC)Foreign nationals must have an entry permit certified by the Population and Immigration Authority.Print the clearance and bring it with you to the airport to present it to officials. Keep the clearance until arrival in Israel (after border control check).Passengers must present the PCR test results to airline staff, to officials of the Immigration and Population Authority and to officials of the Ministry of Health at the airport. Note that boarding will be denied of COVID-19 confirmed cases.

At the moment, there are no other restrictions on entering the territory of Israel. At the same time, the government recommends waiting for travel to countries with extremely high rates of covid-19 spread (red zone).

For which countries are the borders with Greece open?

Today (Saturday, 5 June 2021) Greece’s borders are fully open to 36/ 32 countries, partially open — to 15/ 32 countries. See how we collect data and find out why not all countries are included in the statistics.

List of countries for which the borders with Greece are partially or completely open:

•  United Arab Emirates
•  Armenia
•  Austria
•  Australia
•  Azerbaijan
•  Belgium
•  Bulgaria
•  Belarus
•  Canada
•  Switzerland
•  China
•  Cyprus
•  Czech Republic
•  Germany
•  Denmark
•  Estonia
•  Spain
•  Finland
•  France
•  United Kingdom
•  Croatia
•  Hungary
•  Israel
•  Italy
•  Japan
•  Lithuania
•  Latvia
•  Netherlands
•  Norway
•  Poland
•  Portugal
•  Russia
•  Sweden
•  Thailand
•  Ukraine
•  USA

In Greece, bars and restaurants work with restrictions, only essential shops are opened. Public events (exhibitions, concerts, museums, etc.) are allowed but with restrictions.

Foreigners can cross the border if all the conditions for entering the country are strictly kept to:

At the moment, there are no other restrictions on entry into Greece. At the same time, the government recommends waiting for travel to countries with extremely high rates of covid-19 spread (red zone).

The cheapest flights to Israel from Greece

The resumption of full-fledged air communication is gradual. At the moment, direct flights to Israel are limited, so it is possible to get to Israel with transfers. We offer the best air fares from Greece to Israel. Today you have the opportunity to book tickets at an affordable price. A pandemic is not a barrier to business and travel.

We constantly monitor the situation with the spread of coronavirus and are always ready to provide you with up-to-date information.

Actual data of COVID-19 in Israel

Current coronavirus statistics in Israel:

• Total cases of covid infection: 839 566
• Sick right now: 216
• Number of deaths: 6418
• Recent morbidity: declining

Situation with lockdown in Israel:

The new lockdown shuts most businesses and leisure activities.All stores are closed except those that sell essential services: food, hygiene products, optics, pharmaceuticals, electrical appliances and home repair supplies.Hair salons and beauty parlors are closed.Bed and breakfasts, zoos, nature reserves, national parks and memorial sites are closed.Restaurants may now be open for delivery only — no take-away allowed.Workplaces must move to working from home or putting staff on furlough.Only 50% of staff in companies with more than 10 employees may come to work at a time. In smaller companies, all 10 may be there together — so long as the business is not customer-facing.

>Actual data of COVID-19 in Russia

Current statistics on coronavirus in Russia:

• Total cases of covid infection: 408 789
• Sick right now: 18 916
• Number of deaths: 12 253
• Recent morbidity: declining

Situation with lockdown in Russia:

A general nationwide lockdown is imposed. Citizens in need of going out for essential reasons will have to notify it and to provide specific certificates according to the reasons for their movement. There is also a ban on travelling outside home prefectures, except for essential reasons.For additional information and for the necessary certificates, please visit www.forma.gov.gr (in Greek).Authorities have divided the country into «red» and «yellow» areas (in «red» areas additional restrictions apply). This is reviewed on a weekly basisCitizens are encouraged to apply physical distance rules everywhere. Special social distancing rules have been set for a wide range of places, such as hospitals, medical centres, restaurants, cafés, offices, schools, universities, supermarkets, shopping malls, public transportation vehicles and stations, small shops, barbershops, places of worship, lifts, etc.Precautionary measures may be subject to variations according to the epidemiological level of the different Regional Units.As of 3 May, restaurants, bars and cafés are open (outdoor spaces only, and opening hours between 05:00 and 22:45).Up to 6 individuals are allowed per table. Two customers seated on stools are allowed in front of the bar (1.5 metres distance must be kept from the next two customers).The use of masks is mandatory for customers waiting for a table, and strongly recommended for those already seated.Beaches and tourist areas are open under specific hygiene protocols.Precautionary measures may be subject to variations according to the epidemiological level of the different Regional Units.

Thus, the restrictions associated with the coronavirus dictate living conditions in 2021. Each state has developed its own border crossing rules and entry rules. It all depends on the general situation with the spread of COVID-19.

However, even in a pandemic, you can leave Greece for Israel with the necessary permits:

Negative PCR test is required for all countries.

Quarantine for 14 days required for some countries.