It will soon be possible to travel directly between South Africa and Israel again, with El Al Airlines announcing that it’ll restore flights on several abroad routes, together with South Africa.
Israel has kept a firm grip on COVID-19 by imposing flight and travel bans on many nations. Its national airline suspended flights between Tel Aviv and Johannesburg nearly two months ago. This was in a bid to restrict foreign nationals entering Israel and importing new strains of the virus.
With sizeable local Jewish communities based in South Africa, El Al’s resumption of flights to and from Johannesburg is welcome news.
Travelnews reported that El Al would resume flights between Tel Aviv and Johannesburg from 16 March. The flight will depart from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport at 21:45 and arrive in Tel Aviv at 06:30 the next day.
Initially, flights will operate only once a week for the first two weeks. From the end of March, El Al will increase the frequency to 2 flights a week between Johannesburg and Tel Aviv.
Israel’s land and air gateways mostly been closed since January 25.
Ben Gurion Airport, the nation’s busiest airport about 20km from Tel Aviv, has been closed for all however a handful of flights by Israeli and foreign airways bringing again citizens that were stranded elsewhere due to the pandemic.
Even though you can fly there with El Al, it is important to note that general tourist visits to the state of Israel are still prohibited. The government will monitor entry to the nation. South Africans wishing to travel to Israel are required to lodge a request for authorization via the Israeli government’s online application registry.
According to Times of Israel, the Israeli government will permit 3,000 visitors to enter Israel every day. Returning Israeli nationals and new immigrants wishing to take up residence in Israel will get preference.
Travelers will not be required to quarantine in state-run hotels, however may quarantine in private homes.
