Israel’s coronavirus cabinet voted to ban entry of all noncitizens into Israel, effective immediately. Starting Wednesday, citizens returning home will be required to quarantine in coronavirus hotels.
Israel’s coronavirus cabinet voted to ban entry of all noncitizens into Israel, as a new coronavirus strain from the UK raises concerns around the world. Israeli citizens who enter the country will be required to quarantine in coronavirus hotels.
The entry ban on foreigners took effect immediately after the coronavirus cabinet meeting. Starting on Wednesday at 2 p.m., all Israelis who enter the country will be required to quarantine at coronavirus hotels for 10 days on condition that they receive two negative coronavirus tests or for 14 days if they do not undergo testing.
The ban includes those with special permits to enter Israel, such as relatives attending family events, students, and businesspeople. The regulations will be in effect for 10 days and may be extended.
The decision comes as Israel grapples with a surge in coronavirus cases, some 2,821 new cases were reported on Sunday, with 4.1% of tests returning positive.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised concerns that the new strain of the virus was spreading throughout the world and that it was still unclear what the consequences are of the new strain, which is 70% more transmissible than the original virus, according to a recent announcement by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
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