Israel’s “green pass” passport system just got even more insane.
The Israeli Ministry of Health announced Wednesday that the existing passport system would be undergoing some changes.
What kind of changes you ask?
Israelis will now have to get a Covid ‘booster’ shot every six months, or be forced to forfeit their vaccine passports.
In Israel, these green pass vaccine passports are already required for basically every public setting.
The news of the required six month booster shot comes despite the fact that the boosters do next to nothing in stopping infection or transmission of the virus.
Here's the latest on the booster requirement from the Times of Israel:
Israel has reportedly asked the United States and European Union to adopt its soon-to-be-updated rules for Israeli travelers, under which eligible people who have not received coronavirus booster shots will no longer be recognized as vaccinated.
Starting October 3, anyone who has not received a booster shot six months after getting a second vaccine dose will have their Green Pass revoked, denying them entry to certain venues and events that require proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or a negative test result.
According to a Channel 12 news report Tuesday, Israel wants the US and EU member states to use the Health Ministry’s criteria concerning the vaccination status of arriving Israeli travelers, which could cause those who were inoculated but have not received a third vaccine dose in the six months since to be denied entry to these countries.
The network said the matter was raised last week in meetings attended by Health Ministry officials and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
Last week, Israel reached an agreement with the EU to mutually recognize vaccine certificates –– though it does not supersede entry requirements of each member state — and is in talks with the US on a similar agreement.
The TV report did not specify if Israel was also considering applying its new Green Pass criteria to vaccinated travelers from other countries — requiring them to have received a booster to enter if six months have passed since they were first considered fully vaccinated — or only wants other countries to enforce this standard for Israelis overseas.
Here's more from Business Insider:
Israel said its vaccine pass, which grants access to nonessential venues like restaurants and bars, now expires six months after the second dose of vaccine.
Getting a booster shot five months after the second dose resets the clock and extends eligibility for the so-called "green pass" by another six months, Israel's health ministry announced on Sunday.
The news comes as Israel rolls out boosters to most of its population. On Sunday, Israel's health minister granted access to a third shot to all those over the age of 12 who received a second shot at least five months prior, the Times of Israel reported.
"From today, the third dose is available to everyone," said Israeli Health Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash on Sunday, the Times of Israel reported.
The pass is also valid within six months of recovery from COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status.
It is required to gain access to a number of nonessential venues such as bars and restaurants, The Wall Street Journal previously reported.
This news has left many asking:
When does the cycle end?
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it will at all...
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