Israel placed on ‘green list’ of safe countries for holidays

Israel has been named among 12 countries placed on a government safe list for tourists wanting to take a foreign holiday this summer.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said visitors from England would be able to visit countries on the green list without isolating on their return.

Other green status countries that are popular holiday destinations include Portugal and Gibralar.

France, Spain, Greece and Turkey were among those excluded.

Israel is preparing to reopen to foreign tourists on May 23 after a successful vaccination drive, with more than half — 56% — of people inoculated so far.

The figure places Israel third only behind Gibraltar and Seychelles in terms of population fully vaccinated, according to data gathered by Johns Hopkins University.