1. I'm a tourist in Israel and I am concerned that I may have COVID-19, where should I go?

If you have a fever of 100.4F (38C) or higher, cough, trouble breathing, or other respiratory symptoms, you must immediately enter self-isolation and call the 101 MDA Emergency Services Hotline for medical advice.
Do not go to an HMO clinic or emergency ward.

2. I already have a trip booked for April and May, should I cancel my reservations?

At the moment, entry to Israel will be refused to non-citizens or residents of Israel arriving from anywhere in the world. In exceptional cases, one may apply for approval of the Foreign Ministry subject to proof of the ability to remain in self-isolation for 14 days.

3. Are there any tourist sites, museums, institutes, and/or cultural spaces closed? Are restaurants and bars operating as normal?

Currently, commercial establishments and entertainment venues are closed. Please see the above list for details and exceptions.

4. Are any upcoming events or conferences canceled? If so, which ones?

No events of more than 10 people are permitted in Israel.

5. Will upcoming religious ceremonies still take place as regularly scheduled (Passover, Easter, etc.)?

Prayer and religious ceremonies can be conducted in groups of up to 10 people, keeping 6.5 feet (2 meters) from one person to another and no more than 2 groups at a time.

6. What are the restrictions regarding local travel throughout the country?

The Ministry of Health recommends avoiding public transport.
No gatherings of more than 10 people are permitted.

7. When will Israel be open to incoming visitors again?
At this moment there is not a known date in which Israel will be open to incoming visitors.

Not nearly as far as you may think: just 10 hours from New York (it’s quicker to fly from New York to Israel than from New York to Hawaii!), or 14 hours from Los Angeles. There are about ten nonstop flights a day from North America to Israel, on Air Canada, American Airlines/US Airways, Delta, El Al Israel Airlines and United. Plus you can connect to Israel through dozens of European cities.

For U.S. and Canadian citizens, all you need is a passport that’s valid at least six months longer than your date of arrival in Israel. (For stays up to three months, you don’t need a visa.) If you’re not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, the same conditions apply to citizens of most western countries.

Like almost everywhere in the world, casual is the "rule" for everyday sightseeing. Bring good walking shoes or sneakers and "layers." Israelis (especially women) like to be “elegant casual” on evenings in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Some religious shrines require modest dress (arms and legs covered, and, occasionally, no pants for women). Don't forget your swimsuit and, for the Dead Sea, plastic shoes or aqausox.

Temperatures can vary widely so just pack for the "right" weather and you'll be fine. Seasons overlap of course, but general guidelines are:

SUMMER (Jun/Jul/Aug/early Sep): Temperatures in the high 80º's, 90º's. Tel Aviv, and Tiberias will be hot and humid (like New York or Miami). Jerusalem is dryer and cooler, particularly at night. Masada and Eilat are extremely hot (110º+!)...but dry. There won't be a drop of rain.

SHOULDERS (late Mar/Apr/May/late Sep/Oct/Nov): Daytime temperatures will be very pleasant: 75º-ish in most of the country (but hotter at the Red and Dead Seas). Jerusalem will be in the 70º's, 50º's in the evening. There'll be some rain - nothing torrential.

WINTER (Dec/Jan/Feb/early Mar): Winter weather can fluctuate. Some winters are mild and sunny, some severe and overcast. There's often heavy rain and, in January and February, even snow sometimes. It'll probably be in the 50º's, 60º's most places, but in Jerusalem and the Galilee in the forties, and cold at night.

If you are flying EL AL Israel Airlines (or from Europe on Arkia Israel Airlines or Israir), please know that the security precautions taken by Israeli airlines are the stuff of legend and the envy of the world’s airlines. On check-in for your flights you will be asked a variety of questions during a security interview. Some of the questions may seem un-PC, intrusive, irrelevant or repetitive. Just answer truthfully, go with the flow and don’t lose your cool. Remember, the questions are designed to protect you and your fellow passengers. When you leave Israel, the departure process is identical to that outlined above for all airlines.