Israel suspended air travel and banned foreigners, except for diplomats, from entering the nation for 10 days as a precaution against the spread of the new COVID-19 strain, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s spokesperson Ofir Gendelman mentioned in a tweet on Monday.
“We determined to shut the skies of Israel, and foreigners won’t be allowed to enter the nation, except in exceptional cases such as diplomats, due to the unfold of the new coronavirus mutation,” Gendelman mentioned, adding, “This resolution is necessary as we’re obligated to protect your health and your life and it’ll currently be in impact for 10 days.”
Authorities have also launched new strict restrictions requiring all citizens returning to Israel starting Wednesday from overseas to quarantine in a “state-run resort facility,” according to a local media report.
These coming back from the UK, Denmark and South Africa had been already required to quarantine from Sunday, news outlet Globes reported.
“All non-Israeli passport holders will henceforth be barred from the nation including these with special permits to attend family events, students studying in Israel and business people,” in accordance with the report.
Nearby countries Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman have all announced the closing of their land and sea borders, along with the suspension of air travel amid the new coronavirus fears.
Saudi Arabia shut its land and sea borders on Sunday and suspended international commercial flights for a renewable week although foreign flights already within the nation can leave, the Interior Ministry mentioned.
Neighboring Kuwait will suspend all commercial flights and close it’s land and sea borders from 11 p.m. on Monday till January 1, the government communications office mentioned. Cargo operations will proceed, it added.
In Oman, land, air, and sea borders will be shut for one week beginning Tuesday, state tv reported.
A number of nations have cut travel ties with Britain after Prime Minister Boris Johnson mentioned an extremely infectious new strain of the virus was a danger to the nation.
