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.

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.

We wouldn’t urge you to come if it wasn’t. Every year between 3 and 4 million tourists vacation in Israel – and apart from those who fall in love with an Israeli – or with Israel – they all go home again safe and sound. The planes of 90+ airlines wouldn’t fly to Israel if it weren’t safe.

Go ahead. Like many European countries, Israel no longer stamps visitors’ passports, so your passport does not indicate that you were here.

Israel is an ultra-modern country with the world’s highest number of doctors per capita, and a health and hospital system that is the envy of the world. No vaccinations are required to visit Israel (unless you have recently been in an area where there have been epidemics of yellow fever, cholera or ebola). You can buy most standard over-the-counter equivalent of North American drugs in Israel. You can also bring supplies of your standard prescription drugs with you. (If you need to bring syringes and vials of medicine – bring along a letter from your doctor attesting to your needs, just in case.) If you need to see a doctor in Israel, check with your hotel concierge. Travel insurance (including medical coverage) is always recommended for all foreign travel.)

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.

The Israeli currency is the Shekel (officially “New Israeli Shekel”), worth around 30 cents. On arrival in Israel, it’s a good idea to use your bank-card to withdraw some Shekels from the ATM in the arrival-halls at Ben Gurion - or change small amounts of dollars/or travelers’ checks at a bank or your hotel. There are ATM machines all over Israel and credit cards are widely accepted.

Almost all hotel rooms are equipped with hairdryers, and all have shaver sockets. For other appliances, Israel's electricity is 220V A/C, single phase 50-cycles; 110V-220V transformers can be used. Israeli outlets have three prongs, but European two-prong adapters usually work. If you don’t have an adapter that seems to work, call the hotel’s front desk or visit a hardware store.

Most hotels have free wi-fi in the lobby, and some hotels provide it free in the room. Many hotels also have Business Centers where you can access e-mail and the internet without charge. American cell-phones that work overseas will work in Israel too. Israel is 6 or 7 hours ahead of the East Coast of the USA depending on the season.

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.

BUS: Israel has one of the world’s best and most inexpensive bus systems, with almost every city, town, village and settlement connected to the system.
 
TRAIN: High speed trains link Ben Gurion Airport with Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, and there are fast and, efficient and inexpensive train service throughout much of the country.  Rail travel is inexpensive and very easy to navigate.
 
FLIGHTS: Tel Aviv and Eilat are connected by multiple flights daily aboard Arkia, El Al and Israir, and there are also flights to Haifa and the Galilee.
 
TAXIS: There are taxis available in the cities, and taxi drivers are also happy to take you between cities. Check the price before you start your journey.
 
SHARED TAXIS: Shared taxis or “Sherut” are very popular. There are “Sherut” stations throughout the cities. Ask at your hotel for the nearest Sherut stand.
 
CAR RENTAL:
Most international car rental groups have offices in Israel – and there are excellent Israeli car rental firms too. Your American or Canadian drivers’ license is valid in Israel.