What Should a U.S. Citizen Do If They Test Positive for COVID-19 in Israel? 

If you are a non-Israeli citizen and you test positive for COVID-19, you will need to follow the instructions from the Israeli Ministry of Health:  https://corona.health.gov.il/en/abroad/isolation/

The guidance below is for U.S. citizens who test positive for COVID-19 during their travel in Israel:

  1. Do Not Attempt to Depart Israel Until You Are Recovered:  As it states here (https://corona.health.gov.il/en/abroad/leaving-israel-by-air/), if you have been confirmed to have COVID and have not yet recovered according to the protocol in Israel and in the country to which the flight departs – do not board the flight.  You will not be allowed to leave Israel, whether by plane, boat, or vehicle. The U.S. Embassy cannot assist U.S. citizens trying to depart in violation of these requirements.
  1. Isolate Yourself For At Least 5 Days:
  • If you were staying with family or friends in their residence, then you can isolate in their residence as long as you follow the home isolation requirements (https://corona.health.gov.il/en/isolation-lobby/home-isolation/).
  • If you need accommodation, then you will need to isolate at an isolation hotel. For assistance in locating a place of isolation, please contact the Ministry of Tourism’s emergency call center at +972-50-621-4239 (outside Israel) or 050-6214239.

As it states here (https://corona.health.gov.il/en/isolation-lobby/isolation-confirmed-corona/), you are required to stay in isolation for at least 5 days (the day of the test is the 1st day of isolation).  A rapid home test must be taken on the 4th and 5th evening of isolation.

If the results of both home tests are negative, and no symptoms have appeared for 48 hours - you can leave the isolation site in the end of day 5, after receipt of a certificate of recovery from a physician or an HMO.

If the result of either test is positive - you are required to stay in isolation until the end of the 7th day but are not required to take another test. You can leave the isolation site after receipt of a certificate of recovery from your physician or HMO.

  1. Obtain Certificate of Recovery:  For a certificate for recovery contact “Kol HaBriut” call center (*5400) or BikuRofe company (*6101). You may also obtain a certificate of recovery from a private physician. While the U.S. Embassy cannot assist U.S. citizens in finding a private physician, we have a list of doctors available on our website:  https://il.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/doctors/.