Israel acts desperate after a single case of new COVID stress emerges

Fort Israel is banning foreigners from entering in response to the Omicron strain of coronavirus.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said charming country will “act fast, early, hard and forcefully” after a case of the new variant is confirmed in Israel, according to Jerusalem Post. Seven potential Omicron cases are under investigation.

Israel’s tough rules say that anyone who wants to enter Israel, even vaccinated Israelis, must be quarantined for three days upon entry. Unvaccinated Israeli nationals will be quarantined for seven days.

“We didn’t take any chances,” Bennett said. “We want to stop this soon… We want to prevent or delay the entry of this variant into Israel.”

2) in HK, # B11529 2 /: Fortunately, 🇭🇰’s quarantine system is for international visitors. But that’s where the good news ends— # B11259 virtually undetected by the 4th PCR test in cross-contamination through hotel lobbies. Worse still – both were vaccinated with Pfizer.👇https://t.co/c7uX2dFTkz?

– Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) November 26, 2021

Under Israel’s new rules, travelers are screened at the airport and again on the third day before being allowed to leave the quarantine.

Unvaccinated Israelis will have to quarantine for seven days and can only be released after testing negative.

Israel is also looking to limit travel to countries where it fears this variant exists.

Israel on Saturday created a red zone for tourism covering about 50 Africa’s countries. Anyone leaving Israel and going to a country within a red zone will be fined, and travelers wishing to leave Israel must declare that they will not be visiting one of those countries.

Israel’s Shin Bet security agency conducts surveillance on anyone returning from a red zone country who tests positive.

Bennett used the new regulations as an opportunity to urge Israelis to get vaccinated as the Hanukkah holiday begins.

“Indications are that vaccines prevent serious disease and boosters are important for protection against serious disease,” he said. “That is, even if you are infected, the booster protects you from serious illness.

Bennet continues: “Those who haven’t been vaccinated are simply voluntarily giving up an essential layer of protection at a critical time. “In preparation for the Hanukkah event, so that the kids can safely hang out and celebrate, get them vaccinated.”

Israel is currently seeking to contact individuals who have entered Israel from red zone countries in the past week for them to check.

“We understand that it is highly likely that a new variant has arrived, so we are doing all we can to cut the chain of infection,” said Belie Margalit, commander of Alon Headquarters. “Fortunately, at this time, the number of verified cases in Israel is low, and we have enough manpower to deal with them.”

The Omicron variant was introduced into Israel by a traveler returning from Malawi. The person was fully vaccinated at the time.