Israeli skies close until Feb. 21 – here’s how you can still enter, exit

The government made a decision overnight Thursday to keep the skies closed for at least another two weeks. That means that with few exceptions, Israelis cannot enter or exit the country.

The government originally voted to close the skies through February 7. The new restrictions are in place until February 21. 

However, a new “Exceptions Committee” will be able to approve the entry and exit of certain people for specific reasons.  

Applications to the committee should be made online via a web form that is available on the Internet sites of the Foreign, Health and Immigration ministries, as well as the Prime Minister’s Office website. Forms need to be accompanied by supporting documentation.

The committee is composed of representatives of each of these ministries, as well as members of the Diaspora and Tourism ministries. 

1 – For an extended period of time to take up permanent residence somewhere else 

3 – To receive essential medical treatment that cannot be delayed. In this case, the traveler can be accompanies by a support person

4 – To attend a funeral of a first-degree relative

5 – To assist a first-degree relative who is in distress and have no one local to help

6 – To attend a legal proceeding of which they are a part of or are required by law to attend

7 – To raveling on a state-sponsored mission, such as for the purpose of foreign relations, as approved by the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry or PMO8 – To take part in a humanitarian missionIn addition, professional athletes and their coaches can obtain permits to attend competitions, as can non-Israeli citizens or non-permanent residents who are currently in the country. 

1 – To receive medical treatment that cannot be delayed

2 – To attend a funeral of a first-degree relative

3 – To assist a first-degree relative in distress and who has no one local to help

4 – To take part in a required legal proceeding 

5 – To carry out a humanitarian mission 

6 – To handle foreign relations meetings or other essential state business, as approved by the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry or the PMO

In addition, women in their third trimesters of pregnancy may enter Israel to give birth. Furthermore, citizens who left Israel before Israel voted to close the skies may now return. 

1 – People on a humanitarian mission

3 – Professional athletes for the purpose of participating in a competition

4 – Immigrants, if their aliyah cannot be postponed

5 – People married to Israeli citizens or permanent residences or who are the parents of Israeli citizens Permission can also be granted to non-citizens to take part in a state-sponsored mission, such as for the purpose of foreign relations, as approved by the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry or PMO

THE DECISION to close Israel’s skies came against the backdrop of steady but high rate of infection, driven largely by the British mutation that entered Israel through its airport. The mutation now accounts for between 70% to 80% of all infection in the country.“We are closing the skies hermetically, except for really rare exceptions, to prevent the entry of virus mutations, and also to ensure that we progress quickly with our vaccination campaign,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the end of last month when the decision was made.The Health Ministry has been pushing the government to keep the skies closed for at least several more weeks, until a system is in place to maintain testing, isolation and genetic sequencing that could stop the spread of mutations before it starts.Some studies have showed that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are less effective against at least the South African mutation. It is unclear if these vaccines will be as effective against all future mutations. The country hopes to complete vaccinating the majority of its oldest and most at-risk people before allowing new variants to enter Israel before fully reopening its skies.