First foreign tourists in more than a year land in Israel

Following successful vaccination campaign, inoculated groups of up to 30 people can enter the country, with Tourism Ministry hoping to allow individuals as soon as July

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The first group of foreign tourists in more than a year touched down in Israel on Thursday after the government began opening its borders following a steep drop in COVID-19 infections.
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Small groups of vaccinated foreign tourists - up to 30 people - have been allowed to enter as of last Sunday and the Tourism Ministry expects 20 such groups to come from countries, including the United States, Britain and Germany, under a pilot program until June 15.
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Tourists walk at Ben Gurion Airport after entering Israel 
(Photo: Reuters)
The ministry then hopes to expand the number of groups and, in July, allow individual tourists.
Shortly after 4pm, United Airlines flight 90 from Newark, New Jersey landed with 12 Christian pilgrims, men and women of varying ages, studying theology at the Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. They were welcomed by Tourism Minister Orit Farkash-Hakohen, who said: "You are the first of what I am sure will be many tourists returning to the Holy Land."
Led by Pastor Tom Zelt of the Prince of Peace Church, the group plans to visit Jerusalem, Nazareth, national parks and Christian sites, the Tourism Ministry said.
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Tourists wait next to a bus outside Ben Gurion Airport 
(Photo: Reuters)
"Israel is ... healthy and vaccinated. Everything is now safely open," Farkash-Hakohen told the group.
The country had closed its borders to foreigners at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. A rapid vaccine roll-out that has vaccinated most adults has brought the number of active COVID cases to just 428 nationwide.
This has paved the way for Israel to allow vaccinated foreigners to enter the country and revive its tourism sector, although officials remain cautious over potential new variants.
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A coronavirus testing facility at Ben Gurion Airport 
(Photo: AFP)
Tourists are required to show negative PCR tests before flying and to take another test at Ben Gurion Airport after landing in Tel Aviv.
Groups will also need to take serological tests at their hotel to prove they have COVID-19 antibodies. They will need to quarantine until results come back, usually in a few hours.
Tourism in 2019 hit a record high of 4.55 million visitors, contributing NIS 23 billion ($7.1 billion) to Israel's economy, mainly via small and mid-sized businesses.