Morocco and Other Nations Poised to Welcome Vaccinated Israeli Travelers

In Israel, the reproduction rate R has fallen to 0.7, while the positivity rate is 2.4%. Due to this sharp drop in coronavirus infections in the country, many countries are expected to open their borders to vaccinated citizens in the coming months upon presentation of the "green passport", without quarantine, reports Channel 12. These include the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, Russia, Italy, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Thailand. To this list will be added other EU states, it is specified.

About 3,000 Israelis per day are allowed to return to the country with the obligation to undergo quarantine in hotels or at home with an electronic bracelet. As for vaccinated tourists, they will be allowed to enter Israel from mid-April, Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Minister of Tourism, told the Jerusalem Post. "We are working on the issue, I hope we can start around mid-April," she said.

Despite the drop in Covid-19 infections, the Israeli authorities are concerned about the emergence of new variants in the national territory. "What worries us is the entry of variants," said Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis, head of public health. "The British strain is currently the origin of 90% [of cases], but the vaccine is effective against it. We also have the South African strain, which accounts for 1% [of cases], and against which the vaccine is less effective. We fear that other strains will come into play," she added.

In Israel, more than 5.2 million have received a first dose of the vaccine and more than 4.2 million have received both doses.