After tightening its travel entry rules, Israel said on Tuesday that tourists are being given time to leave the country “in an orderly manner in coming days,” though it did not give an exact date.
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Starting on Thursday evening, tourists will only be allowed to enter Israel if they can prove they are able to organise 14 days in quarantine, while the new rule is already in force for Israelis.
Thousands of Israelis are currently in self-isolation. According to the Health Ministry, there are 58 confirmed cases in the country.
There are currently 29 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the West Bank city of Bethlehem and all tourists have been evacuated from the West Bank.
Health Ministry said that international travelers would be given time to depart ‘in an orderly manner in the coming days,’ without specifying a deadline
Tourists visiting Israel will be required to leave the country in the coming days, as part of new travel restrictions to block the spread of the coronavirus, according to Health Ministry guidelines announced late Monday.
Israel announced that beginning at 8 p.m. Monday, all citizens returning from overseas would have to quarantine at home for 14 days.
Non-nationals will be allowed into the country until Thursday at that time, after which they must prove they have somewhere in the country to self-quarantine to be granted entry.
In its guidelines on the new restrictions, the Health Ministry said tourists now in the country would “be given time to leave Israel in an orderly manner in the coming days.” It did not specify a date they must leave by.
The ministry also issued instructions for the tourists to follow while they remain in Israel.
These included contacting the Magen David Adom ambulance service if they have symptoms of the virus, maintaining good hygiene, and documenting their stay in the country.
Tourists were also instructed to avoid crowds and informed they would not be allowed back into Israel if they visit any neighbouring country.
It was unclear from the Health Ministry guidelines whether tourists able to self-quarantine in Israel would also be required to leave the country.
A tourist wearing a face mask for protection from the coronavirus at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on March 5, 2020. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
The new restrictions are among the most dramatic to be introduced by any nation in the intensifying battle against the coronavirus. On February 26, Israel had become the first country in the world to advise its citizens against all non-essential overseas travel.
The latest move will essentially shut down tourism, and send shockwaves through Israel’s already battered travel sector.
“This is a tough decision, but essential in order to protect public health — and the public health comes before all,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.