Israel and the United Arab Emirates have signed a "green corridor" agreement allowing passengers vaccinated against the novel coronavirus to travel freely between the two countries, the Israeli consulate in Dubai said on Twitter on Sunday.
According to Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, the agreement allows free movement between Israel and the UAE via mutual recognition of Emirati and Israeli-issued COVID vaccination and recovery certificates, without isolation or bureaucracy.
"I was happy to sign this morning with the Health Minister of the United Arab Emirates, an agreement for a green corridor between the two countries," Horowitz said on his Twitter account.
The agreement with the UAE acts as a precursor to Israel's plan to reopen its borders to most fully immunized tourists, which will go into effect on November 1.
Tourists from countries where the pandemic is surging will be barred from entry, as will those who have received vaccines not approved by the World Health Organization.
During their videoconference on Sunday, Horowitz and his Emirati counterpart, Abdoul Rahman Ben Mohammed Al Owais, also underlined "the cooperation which is being woven between the countries, in many fields, and that of health in particular," Horowitz added.
They also agreed to meet "as soon as possible" to promote "common actions" and strengthen ties between the two countries.
Republished with permission from i24NEWS