“Israel’s two-year-long pandemic-induced national state of emergency will end on Tuesday March 1, as cases are plummeting, hospital wards emptying out, and a top expert [Prof. Nadav Katz of Hebrew University] says that ‘there is no cloud on the horizon, for now.’ After so many people got infected by Omicron, experts, including those on Katz’s team, expect that widespread immunity will reinforce vaccine immunity to protect Israel from a large outbreak in the near future, even with new variants. Israel will repeal most coronavirus regulations on Tuesday, as the country transitions from a ‘state of emergency’ to a ‘special health situation.’ Under the new guidelines, both vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists of all ages will be allowed into the country, as long as they submit a negative PCR test before boarding the flight and take another one after landing in Israel. Citizens will no longer need to test before returning home (though it’s suspected that some airlines will still insist on a test); they will need to test upon arrival. Presenting a green pass, which proves that its holder is vaccinated or has recovered from the virus, has become a prerequisite for far fewer venues in recent weeks, and now won’t be requested at all. And while masks will still be required indoors, the current requirement for masks in some large outdoor gatherings will be canceled.”
“Israel Omicron Exit,” The Times of Israel, Feb. 28, 2022