In an escalation of its measures against the outbreak of the coronavirus (Covid-19), Israel will subject all arrivals in the country, both foreign and local, to a 14-day quarantine, the Times of Israel reported.
The announcement was made on Mar. 9 by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who declared it "essential to maintaining public health."
The BBC reported that the rule came into immediate effect for locals on Monday, while foreigners will still be allowed into the country as per normal until Mar. 12, whereby they must then prove that they have proper accommodation for their quarantine in the country.
The rule will be in place for two weeks.
22,000 Israelis are in quarantine
The Times of Israel further reported that thus far, there are 42 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Israel, with most of the cases being travellers who have returned from abroad.
In addition, there are about 22,000 Israelis already in quarantine, the country's Health Ministry stated on Mar. 9.
Israel's Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said that that the precaution was a "difficult decision" that had to be taken as Israel was a small and crowded country, while Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association has called the measure a "death blow" to the tourism industry.
The country has already banned foreign travellers from several countries, including Singapore.
Health Minister dismisses suggestions that blanket measure is meant to avoid angering U.S.
Meanwhile, the country's Health Minister, Yaakov Litzman, also dismissed suggestions that the blanket measure was meant to avoid singling out and angering the U.S., where infection rates have been rising.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Netanyahu had supposedly spoken with U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence on Mar. 8, after the Health Ministry had reportedly recommended that the measures be limited to Covid-19 hotspots.
Pence was reported by Israeli media to have told Netanyahu to "go global, and the Trump administration will be OK with it" in response to Netanyahu's hesitation over angering U.S. President Donald Trump.
Litzman has since called the allegation "fake news."
Top image from Zeitfixierer via Flickr