Just before midnight last night, the Government of Israel voted to extend the current lockdown until Friday 5th. However, the flight ban has been extended through Sunday, February 7.
Incoming Flights
At this hour, no flights are scheduled to arrive in Israel during the lockdown. However, the government did publish certain rules regarding incoming passengers, which clearly indicates that there will be some flights arriving. Government sources, as well, have advised Chaim V’Chessed that emergency flights will be scheduled.
The ruling states that a Vaadat Charigim (Exceptions Committee) will examine each request to fly into Israel. Our sources tell us that the vaada will be very strict about who will be allowed to enter. Living in Israel may not be a good enough reason. Seemingly, it will need to be a truly exceptional situation, such as life and death, funerals or similar.
Additionally, the new rules order all passengers arriving in Israel through February 7 to quarantine for 10 to 14 days in government quarantine hotels. It is unclear whether this will apply to people who have been vaccinated or have recovered from Corona.
Outgoing Flights
The government intends to severely limit outbound emergency flights. This includes Delta flight 235 scheduled to depart tonight (Monday Feb 1 at 11:55 PM) which has already been given permission to fly. It is very likely that the flight will be cancelled. Delta Flight 235 which had been approved to travel from TLV-JFK has now been cancelled due to new government restrictions.
This is an extremely dynamic situation. Rules and details can – and will – change rapidly.
{Matzav.com Israel}
