Bennett approves entry for tourists vaccinated with Russia’s Sputnik V from November 15

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Israel announced on Wednesday that it will allow tourists inoculated with the Sputnik V jab into the country from November 15, provided they present a serological test.

The decision was made when Israel approved the plan for reopening the country for tourism last week, but was pending authorization from the prime minister.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was considering postponing the entry of tourists vaccinated with Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine to December 1, prior to his meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Sochi this past weekend.

Israel said last week that it would allow Russian tourists vaccinated with Sputnik V to enter the country for the next two months.

Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz recently approved a new policy allowing tourists who are fully vaccinated with recognized vaccines into Israel starting on November 1. However, health officials recommended delaying recognition of the Russian vaccine upon the discovery of the new COVID-19 AY4.2 sub-strain in Israel.

The Sputnik V vaccine is not recognized by Israel, the World Health Organization, or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Israeli officials told Haaretz that the decision to allow tourists vaccinated with Sputnik V had been the result of recent pressure from Russian officials.

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