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