Corona panic: Ministry of Health has expanded the isolation to return from Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore

After assessing Litzman's situation with a team of experts, it was decided that from now on, returning Israelis from several East Asian countries would stay in solitary confinement for 14 days - even without symptoms. This is due to the spread of the virus to other countries beyond China. Israeli planning to return from Thailand: "There are lots of question marks and it is frustrating"

Corona panic: Ministry of Health has expanded the isolation to return from Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore

Corona Panic - Latest Updates:

• Ministry of Health: Returns from Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Macau will be in 14-day isolation
• In the event of symptoms or other medical conditions - the treating party must be informed in advance
• The Israelis from the Corona Ship will return on a special flight, the patients will remain in Japan

The Ministry of Health announced on Sunday that it is expanding its home isolation from Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Macau, fearing the spread of the Corona virus that has so far killed 1,665 people. The decision, made after a situation assessment this morning, led by Health Minister Jacob Litzman and his team of specialists, decided that from now on, these targets will remain in isolation in their homes until they are completed 14 days from the return date - even if they have no symptoms.

Therefore, returning to these destinations should be prohibited from entering the public space and staying in public places, including educational institutions, workplaces, public transport, recreation and shopping, as well as hospitals and clinics, throughout the "incubation period" of the virus. "This guidance is given because of the spread of the Corona virus caused by disease in other countries beyond China and to prevent it from spreading in Israel," the Health Ministry said.

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The restrictions were extended. Man with mask for fear of the Corona virus in Kathmandu, Nepal (Photo: Reuters)

Protected man wearing a Corona virus mask in Kathmandu, Nepal February 16, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

According to the Office's guidelines, in the case of one or more of the symptoms, including a fever, cough or shortness of breath, those returning from these countries should contact the physician or hospital emergency room and notify the clinic or emergency room prior to the patient's arrival. They also emphasized that even in another medical condition requiring treatment, the attending physician must be notified by telephone. In addition, the mouth and nose should be covered with a surgical mask or other available fabric and avoid travel by public transport.

Earlier today, health and foreign ministries were assessing the crisis after two Israeli civilians contracted the virus aboard the Princess Diamond cruise ship off the coast of Japan. The Foreign Ministry has formulated an initiative to end the isolation of Israelis on the ship: Starting tomorrow, Israeli passengers will undergo medical examinations to make sure the virus is not in their body, and answers will be received within 24 hours. Anyone who is healthy will receive a special certificate from the Japanese government, get off the ship and board a special flight back to Israel.

Chinese President admitted: "We knew about the severity of the virus before the public was updated"

A supermarket customer with a mask on her face. Beijing, China (Photo: Reuters)

Defending customer with corona virus mask while shopping in one of Beijing's markets, Feb. 16, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

In contrast, those infected with the virus are likely to continue to receive treatment in Japan. The Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Itamar Grotto, was sent to Japan yesterday to contact the country's officials directly about the possibility of bringing the rest of the Israelis aboard to Israel. In addition, another doctor, Prof. Ran Nir-Paz, is expected to leave for Japan. Infectious Disease Specialist from Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.

According to the Japanese Minister of Health, the number of all people on the ship rose to 355 people. Both Israelis are the first known to be diagnosed with the disease. The condition of the two is easily defined, and they were taken off the ship and taken to a state hospital. It is also suspected that another Israeli was suffering from the disease.

A Health Ministry official told Walla! NEWS that "the Japanese have an excellent health system. The doctor sent by us will be there to do what is needed. If necessary - he will be involved in the treatment."

Israeli in Thailand: "There are lots of question marks, it's frustrating"

Yuval Alfie, 23, from Or Yehuda, was scheduled to end her big trip in the East on Friday and return from Thailand to Israel. Now that the new Ministry of Health guidelines have been published, it has to be reassessed. She said, "I'm scheduled to fly back to Israel on Friday. I planned to spend a few days in Bangkok and finish my big trip properly."

A month ago Alfie booked a vacation with her friend to Rome, after not seeing him for three months. "Now with the new directive it leaves me 24 hours to return to the country to allow the flight because at the moment nothing is clear," she said. "We may not even be able to get a refund on the flight, the hotels or the tours we booked."

She is now considering giving up her visit to Bangkok and getting ahead of the flight from Thailand. "It sucks because I planned for today. I am now in the process of planning what to do and how to deal with the situation. There are lots of question marks and it is very frustrating.

"Nothing is clear," Yuval Alfie, the Israeli hiker who is supposed to return to Thailand from Thailand

Yuval Alfie (Photo: - official website)

In the past day, another 142 people have died from the virus in China, according to the Chinese Health Commission, as well as a further 2,009 more cases of infection. This, while the number of infections increased to 68,500 people. Most of the dead from the virus come from Hubei province of China and its capital, Wuhan. Meanwhile, Taiwan is the first victim, joining France, Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines as the fifth country outside of China to document the death from the virus.

However, China is reporting a decline in virus infections, which has spread to about 24 countries. The outbreak resulted in sweeping contraception by the Chinese government, which included a blockade on cities numbering millions of people. At the same time, many countries have issued travel warnings to China and have restricted travelers returning from the country.

(Update first: 16:43)