Fear of illness: The Ministry of Transportation decided today (Tuesday) to separate those returning from countries defined as 'red' from those returning from countries where the risk is defined as low.
According to the directive, starting tonight, passengers arriving from red countries will move to Terminal 1, not Terminal 3 like other passengers.
This separation will allow those landing to go through the entire chain of entry into the country - landing, PCR test, passport control, baggage, customs, and travel home separately from the rest of those landing from abroad.
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The Ministry of Transportation's statement said: "The minister's decision was made after her meeting with the professional bodies at Ben Gurion Airport and in coordination with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Finance, and within the framework of it, it was decided to divert flights from the red countries to Terminal 1, thus creating separation between those landing in order to reduce the possibility of infection.".
At this stage, the only direct flights arriving in Israel from 'red' countries are from Russia and India - two of the six countries on the list of countries with the highest risk level.
However, many travelers also arrive in Israel from the other four countries on the list - Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa - via intermediate destinations, and it will not be possible to trace them.
According to a report in Israel Hayom, senior officials at Ben Gurion Airport said in closed conversations that the move is expected to cost tens of millions of shekels and is causing bewilderment. Since reopening the entire system is supposed to include Interior Ministry and immigration authorities personnel, counter workers, security personnel, and quite a few other factors.
