Covid / Omicron variant: Israel bans entry to tourists for next two weeks

The coronavirus cabinet approved new health restrictions on Saturday evening as seven confirmed cases of Omicron variant contamination have been identified in Israel to date.

Among the measures taken which will come into force from Sunday evening, the ban on tourists from entering the territory for the next two weeks (unless special authorization from the authorities), as well as the extension of the period of isolation for Israelis returning from abroad.

Vaccinated travelers – who until now had to be tested on landing and remain isolated until they test negative – will now be required to enter quarantine for 72 hours and be tested again on day three after their arrival.

Unvaccinated travelers must remain in quarantine for at least a week and not leave until they receive a negative test result on the seventh day.

Israelis coming from high-risk “red” countries will have to go into solitary confinement in corona hotels until they receive a negative test result.

The ministers also instructed the Shin Bet (internal intelligence service) to resume monitoring of those infected.

This controversial tracing program, which had been used at the start of the pandemic, got a new green light from the cabinet after the agency director assured it would be used on a limited basis for a short time, and only on people infected with the Omicron variant, according to the information site Walla.

“We are currently in a period of uncertainty which is not easy,” Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said at the opening of the cabinet meeting.

“The key is caution until we know more. We want to maintain Israel’s tremendous accomplishments during the Delta Variant wave – an open country with a functioning economy and education system. absolute priority, “insisted the head of government.

“To this end, we must maintain strict control of the country’s borders,” he added.

The Prime Minister has once again called on Israelis to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.