Israel and Britain are exploring the possibility of opening a "green travel corridor" between them, Israel's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, citing the success of the two countries' vaccination campaigns.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The matter was discussed at a meeting between Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and British Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove in Jerusalem.
"We will promote, together with the UK, mutual recognition of vaccines to allow tourists and business people from both countries to return to their routines safely," Ashkenazi said.
The ministry gave no timeline for implementing such a measure, which apparently would apply only to vaccinated travelers.
The Jewish state said last week it would start allowing the limited entry of vaccinated tourist groups as of May 23. The return of foreigners after the country had closed its borders at the outset of the pandemic in March 2020 would boost the country's economy, which contracted 2.5% in 2020 and battered the tourism sector.
Britain, which has the world's fifth-worst coronavirus death toll, has vaccinated 32.9 million people with a first dose.
About 81% of Israel's citizens or residents over 16 – the age group eligible for inoculation – have received both doses, and infections and hospitalizations are down sharply.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
