Following the report of nine South Korean nationals staying in Israel and having the virus, it was decided to restrict tourists from entering the country • Flight expected to land in the evening, Israeli passengers allowed to enter • Anyone who comes in direct contact with tourists required to enter isolation

Nine South Korean tourists who visited Israel and returned to their country were diagnosed with symptoms of corona disease. As a result, the Ministry of Health has issued special guidelines for anyone who comes into contact with the tourist group.

6:08 pm: The Palestinian Ministry of Health has called on anyone who comes into contact with the South Korean tourist group to come and check and stay in solitary confinement for 14 days. According to the Palestinians, the group visited Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron and Jericho. According to the Health Ministry in Ramallah, patients in Corona have not yet been identified in the Palestinian Authority.

6:02 pm: Regarding the report, the group of tourists also visited Masada and Caesarea. Twenty workers from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, 16 of them in Masada, three in Caesarea and one in Tel Be'er Sheva, who were in contact with tourists from Korea, were instructed to remain in solitary confinement until February 26. Employees feel good and have no unusual symptoms. The Nature and Parks Authority continues to maintain continuous contact with the Ministry of Health and to follow the guidelines. All Nature and Parks Authority sites are open.

Exercise of getting the Israelis to the isolation complex at Shiba // Photo: Moshe Ben Simhon

17:20: As mentioned, on February 13, the tour group traveled in Tel Beer Sheva. At the same time, 30 eighth-grade students from the Tuvihu Comprehensive School in Be'er Sheva were traveling with three teachers as part of an NIS. One teacher developed suspicious signs. .

Fearing that the 30 students who stayed near the tourists were infected, Education Ministry Director-General Shmuel Abubav instructed a school escort team. The team will include: educational consultants and psychologists, a health team that will include the health department supervisor and a team that will take measures to meet online The CEO added that the ministry is in continuous contact with the Ministry of Health and is acting in coordination and compliance with its guidelines.

16:53: The Population and Immigration Authority will prevent foreign travelers from arriving later this evening (Saturday) from a flight from Seoul. It should be noted that at this stage there is no sweeping order, which is under the authority of the Minister of the Interior, and the Israelis on the flight will enter the country and follow the instructions of the Ministry of Health. The move was decided following the discovery of the virus in nine South Korean tourists who stayed in Israel and returned to their country.

4.30pm: King David hotel manager in Netanya said: "After a thorough examination, it was discovered that tourists from Korea arrived at the hotel 14 days ago at 8 pm and left early the next morning. Apart from the breakfast that included the tourists and a limited number of guests, the Koreans did not perform Use of the hotel's facilities and interaction with the rest of the hotel staff and guests, ensure a thorough cleaning of the rooms and facilities.

"We emphasize that the tourists left the hotel 14 days ago, so according to the Ministry of Health's instructions, hotel employees and their guests in the past two weeks should not enter the quarantine, but be alert to the symptoms of illness. We note that the entire hotel staff feels good. Follow his instructions. "

3:47 pm: Ministry of Health issued new guidelines following morning report on sick tourists. According to the announcement, the group stayed in Israel from February 8 to 15. Anyone who comes in contact with tourists is required to enter the isolation. Among other things, 30 students from Be'er Sheva and two teachers who were close to the tourists were instructed by the Ministry of Health to stay in their home tomorrow (Sunday), until February 27. Another teacher is undergoing tests at Soroka Hospital.

Foreign Ministry special preparation

The published guidelines are relevant to anyone in contact with the group. That is, anyone who has been in close contact with the tourists, for at least 15 minutes, is obliged to enter a home isolation for 14 days. Beyond that, if you start to develop symptoms like fever over 38 or cough symptoms - seek medical help.

However, those who were in relevant places and times and exposed to the members of the group, but were not in direct contact with them, were not required to enter home isolation, but were asked to be vigilant about signs of illness.

The only guidelines the Health Ministry has issued so far on South Korea say people returning from South Korea or Taiwan will require home isolation if they have symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing in the two weeks after they return and receive laboratory answers. Patients without symptoms are not required to take special measures.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz this evening instructed his office to hold an urgent discussion on the possible significance and international implications of the Korean pilgrims' visit to Israel, and to take the necessary explanatory actions around the world. Minister Katz has instructed the ministry's management to support any stringent directive that the Ministry of Health will provide with regard to preventing the entry of passengers from various countries in the world, which may pose a health risk to the Israeli population. The main consideration is the preservation of the health of Israeli residents and the ability of the State of Israel to maintain and maintain good relations with countries around the world, as a country that adheres to strict rules and is not infected with the Corona virus.

Participating in the news were: Meital Yasur Beit Or, Shimon Yaish, Dan Lavi, Gadi Golan, Daniel Siriotti and Noam Dovil Dvir