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Africa is already red: the steps and controversy leading up to the cabinet debate on the new variant

Among the measures being considered following the spread of the Omicron - closing Ben Gurion Airport completely, banning entry of foreigners or another test three days after landing.

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• Naftali Bennett

• Ben Gurion Airport

• Corona virus

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Friday, 26 November 2021, 08:00 Updated: Saturday, 27 November 2021, 08:03

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In the video: a trip by the Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, and the Minister of Health, Nitzan Horowitz (Photo: GPO)

The Corona Cabinet will discuss tonight (Saturday) the tightening of restrictions on returnees from abroad following the spread of the Omicron variant, which originated in South Africa.

This, following several verifications of the new strain that were discovered in Israel and fears of its spread.

These measures are being considered alongside the fact that it has already been decided that African countries, with the exception of the northern countries of the continent, will be defined as red and the entry of foreigners from them will be banned.

On the side that supports the closing of the entrance gates to foreigners is Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who believes that the move will reduce the entry of the new variant.

On the other hand, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz opposes the move, claiming that closing the country en masse would cause severe economic damage to the economy.

More on Walla!

The world is worried about the spread of the South African variant: "It may be too late"

To the full article

More on Walla!

• Ahead of the cabinet meeting: Bennett is considering closing the entry of foreigners into Israel;

  Horowitz objects

• Experts warn: the fifth wave is already here;

  The Ministry of Health wanted to tighten the restrictions at Ben Gurion Airport

• Living with a quiet heart: An accurate and quick diagnosis that saves time and saves lives

Prohibition of entry to curb morbidity.

Bennett (Photo: Paul, Moti Millrod)

Fears of hurting the economy.

Horowitz (Photo: Walla !, screenshot)

In a consultation held on Friday afternoon with a group of ministers and senior officials in the health system, Bennett said that quick steps should be taken to halt the new variant as a lesson from the entry of the Delta variant into Israel, so the government did not act quickly enough.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Health added in a discussion that it is not yet clear whether the vaccine is effective against the new variant, and concerns about this arise in light of the fact that one of the carriers found in Israel was vaccinated with three doses - and still infected.

Yesterday the government decided that African countries, with the exception of the northern countries of the continent, would be defined as red and the entry of foreigners from them would be banned.

Fear of releasing unconscious patients who have been infected.

Ben Gurion Airport (Photo: Momentum)

It was also decided that the Home Front Command would locate all Israelis and tourists who came from Africa in the past week, and instruct them to remain in isolation immediately, while at the same time conducting home sampling.

Anyone who has stayed in African countries, even if he did not come to Israel directly from it, will be called to immediately undergo a PCR test, after which he will go into isolation until a result is obtained.

The Knesset's Constitution Committee will convene on Sunday to discuss and approve the government's measures.

Simultaneously with the reinforcement of the Alon headquarters to cut off the contagion chains, the Ministry of Defense will open two Corona hotels for the isolated.

At the same time, Israel will purchase ten million PCR kits tailored to identify the new variant.

In about two weeks, air filters will be installed in hundreds of classrooms and one hundred kindergartens, as part of a new pilot.

In addition, the sewer sampling procedure throughout the country will be accelerated, in order to detect latent morbidity in the variant.

Corona Hotel in Jerusalem (Photo: Flash 90, Yonatan Zindel / Flash 90)

Bennett addressed a special press conference for the variant yesterday and said he recommended at this stage not to fly abroad. The actions we take will be an economic price, are preparing for any scenario, including strict ".

Meanwhile, the company" Femi Premium "which is responsible for checking arriving passengers at Ben Gurion said that following the new guidelines, all samples sent from yesterday morning sent to the laboratory Gossip Girl detect the new variant, Instead of three laboratories as is routinely done. Therefore, delays in test results are expected due to the formation of a load on the laboratory.

Despite this, the guidelines regarding the required isolation for those entering the country have not been updated.

Under existing conditions, it is possible to leave isolation after 24 hours from landing, even if no corona test result has been obtained.

Therefore, and in light of the expected delays, there is a fear that returnees from abroad who have been infected with the virus and are not aware of it - will not be in isolation and endanger others.

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