New Covid-19 variant: South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini added to Israel's travel red list! [update]

update (26 November 2021): Israel adds all African nations, except those in North Africa, to its "red list" of high-risk countries due to the new coronavirus variant.

The Government of Israel announced on 25 November 2021 that South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini have been added to the country's "red", or highest-risk, travel list. This is due to the detection of a new Covid-19 variant, B.1.1.529, in South Africa, which has a "very unusual constellation" of mutations. Israelis are banned from travelling to countries on the "red" list, unless they receive special permission from Israel's health ministry. Israelis returning home from those countries are required to spend between 7-14 days in a quarantine hotel after arrival. Anyone coming from any of these "red", or highest-risk, countries and is not an Israeli citizen or resident is barred from entering into Israel. We'll keep you posted!