All tourists, regardless of their vaccination status, will be permitted entry to Israel from 1 March, said PM Naftali Bennett. Under the new guidelines, tourists will have to test negative before they depart and on arrival – both tests must be PCR standard.

"We are seeing a consistent decline in morbidity numbers so this is the time to gradually open up," said Bennett.

Sharon Ehrlich Bershadsky, director of the Israel Government Tourism Office in London, said: "This is the news we have been eagerly waiting for since the first wave of the pandemic two years ago. Israel has had a world-leading response to its management of coronavirus, and this decision to open the borders in line with new figures is welcomed."

She continued: "After two years, we hope this is one of many boosts the travel industry needs as it bounces back after a long period of uncertainty. We are hopeful visitor levels will begin to restore themselves to pre-pandemic numbers as consumer confidence grows in line with restrictions easing."

Israel opened to vaccinated tourists in November, while retaining a PCR testing requirement too. The country went on to scrap its red list early in the new year, ending a month-long UK travel ban.

Last week, Israel indicated it was poised to further relax its Omicron travel restrictions.