The Israel Ministry of Tourisms initiative to define the resort city of Eilat and the hotel area of Ein Bokek-Hamei Zohar at the Dead Sea as ?green tourism islands?, has received the first nod from the cabinet.
According to the outline, the coronavirus cabinet will be allowed to declare the city of Eilat and the Dead Sea hotel complex as a 'special tourism area'. Entry into the green tourist areas by domestic travellers will be conditional, on the presentation of an up-to-date negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery from the virus.
The outline will allow the reopening of hotels in the resort city of Eilat and the hotels area of Ein Bokek-Hamei Zohar near the Dead Sea areas, while strictly adhering to Ministry of Health's guidelines; provided there is a continued low level of morbidity in areas. At a later stage, gradually, businesses which serve hotel guests will also be allowed to re-open in these areas.
Discussions on the initiative, including the logistics of presenting negative COVID-19 tests, will be discussed further in the Knesset Legislative Committee on November 2.
Orit Farkash-Hacohen, minister of tourism, said: "The green tourism islands outline approved by the government is the result of a very complex dialogue with the Ministry of Health and a great effort to bring this before the government to get it moving. The outline gives an immediate response to 30% of the tourism industry, in special geographical areas of Israel ? Eilat and the Dead Sea."
He added, "The government approval is only the first stage. There needs to be more legislation in the Knesset and the development of a complex mechanism that can be put into practice. We are working, among others, with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Security, the heads of local authorities and the testing frameworks. Nonetheless, there is no doubt in my eyes that this process is not a replacement for the need to open and rehabilitate the entire tourism industry and the immediate opening of rural tourism in Israel.?
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