Israeli government moves to extend entry ban for non-residents until October 1
Israel's borders have been closed to foreigners since early March
Israel has extended a ban on non-Israeli passport holders from entering the country until October 1 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to local media sources, the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority has already informed airlines of the move.
Israel's borders have been closed to foreigners since early March when the government enacted strict coronavirus measures limiting free movement, but there are several encouraging signs that the entry ban may soon be relaxed.
Health Ministry Deputy Director Professor Itamar Grotto said a plan to allow foreign tourists to enter Israel would be presented before the end of August.
Israeli Tourism Association CEO Yossi Fattal hopes inbound tourism can be revived in the last quarter of 2020.
The global coronavirus epidemic has severely damaged Israel's economy, especially its tourism and hospitality sector which had seen dramatic growth in recent years.
The extent of the damage was highlighted after newly released government figures showed on Sunday that 851,051 individuals are currently unemployed in Israel, of which 536,906 have been forced to take unpaid leave due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For now, only tourists from around 20 "green countries" are allowed to enter Israel, while Israelis can travel there without being placed in solitary confinement upon their return.
Among these countries are Austria, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, England, Germany, Georgia, Hungary and New Zealand.