Israel close borders in face of new coronavirus strain

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israel announced Saturday that the entrance of foreigners to the country was forbidden due to the new Omicron strain of the coronavirus.

The move came after the Cabinet gathered with Prime Minister Naftali Bennet's leadership to discuss precautions against the new variant.

The Cabinet decided that no foreigners will be allowed in without the approval from a committee

Accordingly, returning vaccinated Israelis will be required to have a PCR test and undergo a three-day quarantine, followed by another negative PCR test to end the quarantine.

Those without vaccination will have to isolate for one week on condition they agree to test. If they do not, they will be quarantined for 14 days.

Israelis returning from countries on the "red-list" will also be isolated at a hotel determined by the government. They will be allowed to spend the rest of the quarantine at home as long as the PCR test on entry shows a negative result. Their isolation period will end if another negative PCR test is provided on the seventh day.

The government warned citizens leaving the country that travel measures might change during their trip.

The maximum number of people to attend a controlled indoor activity was reduced to 50 from 100.

No changes were made as to the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah whose celebrations are due to begin Sunday evening but strict controls would be implemented.

*Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara