Ben Gurion Has Busy Day, But More Leaving Than Coming

YERUSHALAYIM
Passengers get tested for coronavirus after they arrived on a flight to Israel at Ben Gurion international airport. (REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo)

Traffic at Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday was the heaviest it’s been since late January, as an estimated 9,000 people passed through the terminals a day after the government lifted its limit on incoming passengers.

However, while the policy change followed a High Court ruling that the entry cap was unconstitutional, as it prevented Israelis from returning home to vote, more Israelis were leaving than arriving.

About 3,500 passengers entered the country, versus over 5,000 departures, according to Channel 12. There were 60 incoming and outgoing flights on Sunday.

The number of flights will, however, be limited by the airport’s capacity to receive them while conducting COVID-19 tests and maintaining social distancing.

Passengers will no longer have to submit to a body temperature check when entering the terminal and before boarding.

Israelis departing the country will no longer be required to submit a request to the Exceptions Committee for approval, and it will be possible for airlines to send cargo flights to Israel and use the plane as a passenger flight upon its return.

The new guidelines are effective until Sunday, March 28.

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