Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister in Israel Benny Gantz on Monday was advised to enter self-isolation until Saturday after an epidemiological investigation showed he was in close contact with MK Hila Shai-Vazan from his Blue & White party who has tested positive for coronavirus, according to Ynet.
Today, Monday, Israel announced a complete ban on flights, except for exceptional ones, for a period of 10 days after the announcement of mutation of the Coronavirus (known also as COVID-19) in the United Kingdom (UK) according to Al-Arabiya news channel.
Many countries around the world announced the suspension of flights to and from Britain, which witnessed a wave of the outbreak of the coronavirus cabinet in Israel met late Monday morning to decide whether all Israelis returning from abroad should be required to go into prolonged isolation, a day after the measure was brought into effect for returnees from the UK, Denmark, and South Africa over fears of a mutated strain of the coronavirus, according to Ynet.
A discussion on a possible third lockdown to stem the continued spread of the coronavirus was dropped from the agenda.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for all arrivals from abroad to be required to quarantine and that all non-Israelis be banned from entering Israel.
His proposal, if accepted, would mean that Ben-Gurion International Airport would be shut for a period of two weeks, excluding special flights.
"The cabinet is meeting for just one reason - closing the skies," Netanyahu said Monday.
On Sunday, ministers decided to require all arrivals from the U.K., Denmark and South Africa must quarantine in government-operated coronavirus hotels to prevent the spread of the new, mutated strain of coronavirus.
The decision was made as two flights from London were en route to Israel, carrying a total of 120 Israeli passengers.
Dozens of the passengers decided to return to the UK rather than go into isolation, despite having been informed before boarding of the new policy
Transportation Minister Miri Regev is opposed to the move, saying the circumstances do not call for such a drastic step.
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