Israel and Greece are in advance negotiations to sign an agreement that would allow reciprocal visits for vaccinated tourists with no obligation to self-isolate or present a negative coronavirus test.<\/p>\n
Israel is also negotiating similar agreements with Romania and Serbia, Cyprus and the Seychelles, while the country of Georgia has also expressed interest in signing a similar deal.<\/p>\n
A beach in the Greek island of Crete <\/p>\n
(Photo: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
The deal would facilitate travel for holders of \"green passport\", which anyone who had received two of the required coronavirus vaccines, will be able to get.<\/p>\n
Greece and Israel hope that by the time Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrives in Israel on Monday for a state visit, the deal will be completed and the two leaders will be able to announce it as early as next week.<\/p>\n
Jerusalem, however, said that the signing of the agreement depends on the infection rate in both Israel and Greece, which is currently dealing with a severe coronavirus outbreak in one of its provinces.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis <\/p>\n
(Photo: GPO)<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main port of entry, is currently under severe restrictions imposed by the government in a bid to halt the spread of the coronavirus and its UK, South-African and California mutations, recently discovered in Israel.<\/p>\n
As per the restrictions, arrivals of foreign-registered aircrafts is prohibited, except for cargo flights, medical and rescue flights. <\/p>\n
Ben Gurion Airport during the closure <\/p>\n
(Photo: AP)<\/p>\n
Israelis are not allowed to leave or return to Israel, with the exception of medical treatment, attending a relative's funeral or legal proceedings abroad.<\/p>\n
Private flights can still take place due to the fact they cannot be legally prevented.<\/p>\n
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Israel and Greece in talks to allow reciprocal visits for vaccinated tourists - Ynetnews<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Israel and Greece are in advance negotiations to sign an agreement that would allow reciprocal visits for vaccinated tourists with no obligation to self-isolate or present a negative coronavirus test. Israel is also negotiating similar agreements with Romania and Serbia, Cyprus and the Seychelles, while the country of Georgia has also expressed interest in signing a similar deal. Continue reading