lsrael is to ask everyone entering the country to self-quarantine for 14 days in bid to stop the spread of coronavirus
- Anyone entering Israel will now be forced to self-quarantine for two weeks
- PM Benjamin Netanyahu announces rule as more than 40 Israel cases confirmed
- The measure will take effect from Thursday as coronavirus continues to spread
Israel will require anyone entering the country to self-quarantine for 14 days as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus.
The measure, which takes effect from Thursday, has been put in place for at least two weeks as the virus spreads around the world.
The Palestinian Authority has also banned tourists for two weeks. Israeli citizens returning from abroad will also be required to self-isolate.
A man is pictured above wearing a face mask in Jerusalem’s Old City. The measure takes effect immediately as coronavirus continues to spread
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said via video link: ‘Anyone who arrives in Israel from abroad will enter a 14-day isolation.
‘This is a difficult decision. But it is essential for safeguarding public health, and public health comes first.’
Israel has already taken some of the most extreme precautions to prevent a local coronavirus outbreak.
It confirmed its first outbreak on February 21st and has more than 40 confirmed cases.
It has forced visitors from many countries in Asia and Europe into home isolation.
This had made travel and trade difficult, with tourism expected to suffer.
Israeli media said that, as of Thursday, foreigners would be admitted only if they can prove they have the means to self-quarantine.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured right with Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, said via video link: ‘Anyone who arrives in Israel from abroad will enter a 14-day isolation. This is a difficult decision. But it is essential for safeguarding public health, and public health comes first’