International
Omicron: Israel Unveils Red List, To Block US Travels
- …Bennett reiterated that he would continue to restrict travel in order to avoid further lockdowns.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Israel’s health ministry Sunday recommended banning Israelis from travelling to the United States and added several European countries to its Covid “red list”, aimed at containing the Omicron variant’s spread.
Barring US travel for Israeli citizens and residents would mark a significant step for Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s government, given the hundreds of thousands of dual nationals and close ties between the countries.
Bennett said Israel was in the midst of its fifth wave of Covid-19.
“The Omicron variant is already here,” he told a press conference after a cabinet meeting, “and it’s spreading fast”.
Speaking earlier, Bennett reiterated that he would continue to restrict travel in order to avoid further lockdowns.
Read also: Omicron: Germany Tighten Restrictions On UK Travellers
He said Israel had gained “precious time” by curbing travel immediately after the Omicron variant was detected in South Africa last month.
“European countries are either in lockdown or are heading that way,” he said, stressing that for Israel “time is running out”.
Lawmakers on Sunday approved an earlier health ministry recommendation to bar Israeli citizens and residents from travelling to France, Ireland, Norway, Spain, Finland, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.
Britain and Denmark were already on the red list, as was most of Africa.
In addition to the US, the health ministry recommended that Canada, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Morocco, Portugal, Switzerland and Turkey be red-listed, guidance that is awaiting approval from the government and lawmakers.
Israeli citizens and residents who are already abroad when a country is declared red must quarantine for a week after returning home.
Non-resident foreigners from all countries are barred from entry unless they have special permission.
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