Last update: September 9th, 2021.
Israel launched a successful vaccination campaign earlier this year and quickly revoked the need for a vaccine certificate as the vaccinated population grew.
But as the Delta variant made its way across Europe, the government quickly reinstated the Green Pass in Israel.
The Green Passes are also now being used for international travel and to restrict access to public spaces for vaccinated individuals only, as COVID cases are surging across the country.
By early September, over 9,000 new COVID-19 cases were being recorded each day in Israel, surpassing the numbers of January 2021.
Green Pass in Israel: how does it work?
According to the Israeli government, “the purpose of the Green Pass is to constitute an entry permit to places and buildings for recovered and/or vaccinated citizens.”
In this regard, the country’s vaccination card is only available to Israeli citizens and residents who recovered or have been vaccinated (Green Pass is valid for 6 months, counting 1 week after the second jab is inoculated).
The latest Green pass regulations state that all persons above the age of three need to prove that they have been vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID-19. Children over 12 are eligible for vaccinations and children younger than 12 can get free COVID tests.
Furthermore, the passes are mandatory to enter any enclosed space, and these spaces are limited to one person per 7 square meters. Indoor gatherings are limited to 1,000 people and outdoor gatherings to 5,000.
Restaurants, bars, theaters, gyms, cultural spaces, sporting events, hotels, and cafes are all off-limits if you are not carrying a Green Pass.
Booster shots in Israel: the rollout begins
Israel has begun the rollout of booster shots or third vaccine doses. The government has also suggested that the green passport in Israel will become invalid if booster shots are not taken.
The Health Minister, Nitzan Horowitz, urged citizens to get a booster shot in Israel to continue benefiting from the Green Pass.
“This is simply because, in terms of its effectiveness, the vaccine is valid only for a period of five or six months. After about half a year, you have to get a third dose. Otherwise, the vaccine loses its power,” explained Horowitz.
“The Green Pass testifies that a person is safe in a certain way. So the moment we know that the vaccine loses its effectiveness after a certain period, there’s no justification for giving a Green Pass to someone who hasn’t gotten another dose,” he said.
Receiving a third dose extends your Green Pass validity for another 6 months.