Israel prepares to resume air travel in mid-August

Israel’s coronavirus cabinet voted to lift a series of restrictions Aug. 5. The most significant concerns air travel, with the country’s skies reopening as of Aug. 16. The cabinet also voted to cancel weekend closures on shopping centers, stores and markets.

The resumption of air travel is not going to be simple. The authorities have now 11 days to form a plan for reopening Israel to air traffic. This means that border-entry requirements will be relaxed for non-Israelis, who have been banned from visiting the country for months. The ministers in charge — Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi — must quickly reach agreement on the measures needed to be taken.