Under the new guidelines, passengers landing at Ben Gurion airport from 20 May will no longer be required to perform a PCR.

The ministry has also confirmed that from Tuesday (10 May) foreign arrivals will be allowed to take an antigen test before travelling.

Passengers choosing to take an antigen must perform the test 24 hours before their departure to Israel.

“The decision was made in light of the decline in morbidity data and at the end of discussions that took place between the professionals in the Ministry of Health and the staff of the Airports Authority,” a ministry statement said.

“It was agreed that the professionals would formulate a mechanism for maintaining the suitability of the testing system at Ben Gurion Airport, in order to enable it to be operated quickly, in full or in part when necessary.”

Sharon Ehrlich Bershadsky, director of the Israel Government Tourist office in London, said: “As consumer confidence grows in line with restrictions easing, it was important that we made the entry process as simple as possible for travellers whilst keeping health and safety a top priority. 

“We are hopeful that the easing of on-arrival PCR tests will help encourage tourists to put Israel on their holiday lists this year.”