Israel's coronavirus cabinet on Thursday approved the return of the Green Pass mandate from next week, which will require the public to present a certificate of vaccination or recovery from coronavirus at entrances to many public facilities.
Israel had lifted almost all health restrictions in May following a rapid vaccination campaign, but the spread of the Delta variant has led to the surge in new COVID cases, prompting the government to bring back some curbs, including an indoor mask mandate.
The new Green Pass outline, which is set to take effect on July 29, will have to be presented at entrances to cultural and sporting events, gyms, eateries, conferences, tourist attractions and places of worship.
The new outline will apply only to events and locations that host more than 100 people both indoors and outdoors.
According to the outline, children below the age of 12 will receive an exemption from the Green Pass mandate and will be able to enter mass events without providing coronavirus tests, including for example cinemas and children's live shows. The Pfizer vaccine has so far not been approved for use on children below the age of 12.
In addition, from Sunday, August 8, coronavirus tests for unvaccinated people will be at the expense of the person undertaking them, except for children below 12.
The Green Pass mandate will not impact the Revelry Pass order that was approved earlier this week. According to that guideline, anyone entering mass social events, such as weddings, will have to present a certificate of vaccination or recovery, or a negative coronavirus test.
The Revelry Pass mandate does not exclude children below the age of 12.
Ministers also approved the recommendation to add the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Georgia and Turkey to the list of high-risk coronavirus countries.
The move will have to be approved by the government and if okayed will take effect from Friday, July 30.