Israel announced late Saturday that it will ban foreigners from entering the country for 14 days to try to stop the spread of the new strain of the coronavirus, Omicron.
According to local media, the ban is expected to take effect at midnight Sunday, after full approval by the cabinet.
Previously, several countries had closed their borders to various countries, mainly in southern Africa, but Israel is the first to announce a new total closure for all foreigners.
Israel has so far confirmed a case of the omicron strain, first detected in South Africa.
In addition to the entry ban for foreigners, a mandatory three-day quarantine would be required for all vaccinated Israeli citizens, and a seven-day quarantine for those who have not been vaccinated to return to the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the new variant is “worrisome,” and preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection.
However, the WHO has warned against countries hastily imposing travel restrictions, saying they should pursue a “scientific and risk-based approach.”
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