The United Arab Emirates suspended an agreement to open visa-free travel for Israelis to the Gulf country by July 1, citing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.
Until then, Israeli citizens who wish to travel to the United Arab Emirates will need to obtain a visa, as well as citizens of the United Arab Emirates who wish to travel to Israel, the ministry said on Monday. The UAE has taken a similar step towards travel from most European countries, as well as from India and Pakistan, the Israeli ministry said.
Israel is in its third blockade and is discussing the possibility of extending it beyond January 21, as the number of new cases remains high.
The United Arab Emirates ratified the visa-free travel agreement with Israel last week and was set to go into effect 30 days from then. The agreement follows a standardization agreement between countries signed in September.
The suspension announcement comes a day after Israel’s cabinet voted to require that all people returning from the United Arab Emirates and Brazil be quarantined in government-run hotels. A similar decision previously made for travelers returning from South Africa and Zambia has been extended for 10 days.