Israel announced on Sunday that mandatory COVID-19 testing for arrivals at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport will be phased down, although foreigners would still be required to test negative before flying into the country.

As of May 20, the health ministry announced that testing at Ben Gurion would no longer be required. The decision was based on a decline in daily infection numbers from over 6,000 to less than 2,000 in the last month.

Foreigners can now choose to do a fast antigen test within 24 hours of leaving for Israel instead of a PCR test, which is presently needed, the ministry said in a statement.

Israel has not compelled its nationals to test for COVID-19 outside the country since March 1.

All incoming passengers at Ben Gurion, Israelis and foreigners alike, are now sent to PCR testing facilities in an area of the main terminal traditionally reserved for airline check-in counters.

Arrivals must self-isolate for at least 24 hours, or until a negative PCR result is received, which is normally within 12 hours, under current standards.

The government has been under pressure from the public to cease airport testing, which has increased passenger travel costs and reduced check-in space, resulting in long queues.

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