Israel will remain closed to visitors until September – at least
The ban on foreigners entering Israel, which was issued in mid-March when COVID-19 started spreading around the country, has been extended until at least the beginning of September, according to media reports.
Israeli citizens as well as anyone with a special permit from the Immigration Authority are permitted to enter, provided they go into 14 days of quarantine upon arrival.
Israel's tourism industry, employing some 80,000 people, was the first industry to be hit by the virus, and will likely be the last one to recover from it.
Since the Passover and Easter holidays, the industry is missing its high season and is in danger of not being able to capitalize on the fall holidays either if the ban is extended.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.