The Omicron strain is preying on everything Israelis have planned for the coming weeks, such as Christmas markets and low-cost flights, as new countries enter the Ministry of Health’s red and orange list. In addition, restrictions were imposed on vaccinated, recovering and non-vaccinated who would return from abroad and be forced to stay in isolation for at least three days until two negative PCR tests were received.
So how do you get the money if you want to cancel the flight you booked? To which countries is it allowed to fly? And what awaits you in the land when you land back? The updated guide for anyone who still flies, and also who decides to stay in the country.
Can I cancel a flight I paid for and get my money back?
Airlines still fly from Israel to destinations around the world, which means that if you have not purchased flight cancellation insurance, or a change of date and the flight is still valid – the airline is not obligated to refund you the money.
If you purchased a ticket a week ago, for example, you can cancel it under the Transaction Cancellation Act within 14 days of making it. If you did this a month ago – you will have to either fly or give up the flight, if you do not want to fly, but the money you paid will not be refunded.
Conversely, if the flights are canceled by the airline or for any other reason, then there is the Aviation Services Act (Tibi Act), which allows the refund of the money within 21 days from the day the consumer has submitted a written request.
What happens if my destination turns red – I get a refund for the flight I paid for?
If your destination has become “red”, like almost all countries in the African continent, but there are still flights of the airline where you purchased the ticket – you will not receive a refund if you do not fly.
If an airline cancels a flight to a destination that has turned red, it is required by Tibi law to return the money to the passengers.
In addition, check with the airline where you booked the flight if there are any benefits or refunds. For example, Israir announced today (Sunday) to allow passengers wishing to cancel their flight up to 4 business days before the flight to receive a 50% refund upon cancellation of a reservation, using a cash voucher for future realization up to one year, instead of a 25% refund of the previous reservation. For flights from today until December 12).
Which countries are not allowed to fly now (“red” countries)?
There are 49 countries that were updated last night as red, namely: Angola, Uganda, Seychelles, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Aswatini, Botswana, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Benin, Ghana, Gabon, Djibouti, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, South Africa, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazville), Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Togo, Tanzania, Cape Verde, Liberia, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mali, Malagasy, Madagascar Lesotho, Nigeria, Niger, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Saint Helena (UK), Chad, Comoros, Kenya, Cameroon, Reunion (France), Rwanda.
Please note: Morocco and Egypt are not on the list at the moment.
To update the world countries’ classifications, visit the following link.
What happens if Israel decides to close Ben Gurion Airport?
According to the legal advisor of the Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Authority, Adv. Hanna Weinstock-Tiri, if the state decides to close Ben Gurion Airport – then it is possible to receive a refund within 90 days, and in some cases also entitled to additional compensation. “Even today, there is an exception to the right to compensation for the cancellation of the flight in circumstances that do not depend on the airline,” she explains.
If I still fly, what are my isolation conditions in return?
Israelis who are defined as vaccinated or recovering according to Ministry of Health procedures will perform a PCR test upon landing in Israel, and then go into home isolation for three days. Subject to a second PCR test on the third day, which results in a negative result, they will be able to be released from the isolation. Those who do not perform the additional test on the third day will be required to complete full isolation.
Unvaccinated Israelis will perform a PCR test upon landing in Israel, and then go into home isolation for seven days. Subject to a second PCR test on the seventh day, which results in a negative result, they will be able to be released from isolation. Those who do not perform the additional test on the seventh day will be required to complete full isolation.
Every Israeli, whether or not resilient, who has returned from countries defined as red, will perform a PCR test upon landing in the country, and will then be transferred to solitary confinement at the Corona Hotel until an answer is received. After receiving a negative answer, he will be transferred to further home isolation for seven days. On the seventh day he will perform another PCR test, which, subject to a negative answer, will be released from isolation.
If I came back from a red country, what are the new restrictions on me?
If you returned from a country defined as red, you must perform a PCR test at Ben Gurion Airport, like everyone else, and then you will be transferred to isolation at the Corona Hotel until a negative answer is received for your examination. At the end of the isolation week and after another PCR test, you will be released from the isolation.
I have a connexion flight through a “red” country. Do I have to go into isolation?
If you are required to fly a connexion flight through a country defined as “red” or “at maximum risk” – you will need to return to isolation in the country, for at least three days subject to a negative result of two repeat PCR tests.
Friends from abroad want to come to Israel to visit me. Is it possible?
Foreigners, tourists and anyone who is not a citizen of Israel can not enter the country for two weeks from today, except in cases approved by the Exceptions Committee.
Should you book a flight / vacation for the coming months?
“When buying a plane ticket or a holiday at a hotel today, one must take into account that there is Corona and it is worth taking cancellation insurance and not rely on Tibi law, which only applies if the flight is canceled, regardless of whether the country has turned red,” explains Weinstock-Thierry.
If there is no foreign country, then where can one spend Hanukkah?
In Israel, there are currently no restrictions on Hanukkah performances and attractions, as are in order according to the Green Label guidelines.
.