Everyone arriving in Israel will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days to combat coronavirus, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced, BBC reports.
“All those coming to Israel from abroad will be placed in isolation for 14 days,” he said on his Twitter account.
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said the measure would be effective immediately for all Israelis returning to the country.
It will apply to foreign citizens from Thursday, he added.
They will have to prove they have adequate accommodation to be quarantined during their stay in the country.
“After a day of complex discussions, we made a decision: everyone who comes to Israel from abroad will enter the 14-day isolation,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
“This is a tough decision, but it is essential to maintain public health – and public health precedes everything.”
He added the ruling would be valid for two weeks.
These draconian restrictions and impositions would make sense IF they took these measures as soon as people step off the plane. They go through immigration, get their bags, visit the rest rooms, buy a drink and take a taxi… what about airport workers? Delivery people? Baggage handlers? Security? All of them need to be quarantined as well, because they are also potentially exposed. Didn’t anyone see how stupid it is?
As a result of these measures, most international flights are being cancelled for time being… So no need to worry about the airport workers – etc. Almost all are being temporarily laid off.
The entire point is to stop all tourist traffic. Nobody will visit anymore because no tourist is traveling just to quarantine themselves. Ben Gurion Airport is a ghost town right now.
I thought like you wrote here until I read about how the virus spreads. Also keep in mind that the country has to take action to MINIMIZE the threat while still keeping the country as functioning as possible. No realistic plan can stop the spread 100 percent.
How will the girls/ boys go back to sem/ yeshiva after Pesach?!
If this quarantine is still in effect, then if/when they go back to Israel, it will be with great difficulty.
Think about those who had planned to come to Israel for Pesach…
I known someone that left before Purim so they could do their quarantine to be home in time for Pesach!
Its valid for 2 weeks
It says only valid for 2 weeks. I understand that 2 weeks before Peseach they will allow normal travel again