Israel to set up tourist corridor for people vaccinated against coronavirus

Israel and Cyprus today announced a tourist corridor through which their respective inhabitants will be able to travel without restrictions between the two countries after receiving certificates of vaccination against the coronavirus. “I would like to thank Cyprus for its willingness to recognize Israeli vaccination passports,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a joint press conference with Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiadis, who is on an official visit to Israel.

Netanyahu further added that Israel will also recognize vaccination passports issued by Cyprus.

Although Netanyahu did not specify a date for the entry into force of the agreement, Anastasiadis mentioned April 1, the first day Israelis with vaccination certificates will be able to travel to Cyprus without having to take a coronavirus test or remain in isolation after entering the country. The same would happen with Cypriot tourists arriving in Israeli territory.

This decision It also coincides with the approval today by the Israeli government’s coronavirus cabinet of the reopening of Ben-Gurion International Airport the next day.

According to a joint statement by the prime minister’s office and the health ministry, 2,000 people will be able to enter Israel every day through the airport, which has been virtually closed since January 25. However, the statement does not specify whether this measure will apply only to Israeli citizens or also to foreigners, nor whether those entering the country through the airport must remain isolated, either at home or in hotels.

The COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Israel continues at an impressive speed, with 40% of the population having already received at least one dose of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine, with only 10% of those vaccinated for more than 60 years.

Among the elderly, one of the main risk groups, 90% have already received the first dose and 80% have already had the two vaccine injections against the disease.

In general terms, 25% of the population (over 2.3 million) received both doses, and the percentage is higher if one takes into account the fact that vaccination of minors is not recommended at this stage. In addition, 3.6 million received an injection.

The speed of the campaign among the elderly is already reflected in the epidemiological data: the curve for the elderly hospitalized for coronavirus has fallen sharply. In contrast, there is still an increase in hospital patients under the age of 60, as the country maintains lockdown to control infections.

The country, which has a population of some nine million, has recorded more than 700,000 cases of the coronavirus, of which about 60,000 are still active and there have been 5,368 deaths.

Figures released so far on the effectiveness of the vaccine have sparked optimism in Israel, where, after first vaccinating the older population, the average age of infected patients has dropped significantly, 75 percent of whom have under 39.

With information from EFE

MORE ON THIS TOPIC:

With 40% of the population vaccinated with the first dose, Israel has started to reopen the education system

Israel’s vaccination campaign led to sharp reduction in infections and severe cases of covid-19

Israel has started to ease strict national lockdown, successfully continues coronavirus vaccination campaign

Israel has started vaccinating asylum seekers and undocumented migrants against coronavirus