Israel’s coronavirus cabinet mulls crackdown on “imported contagion”

Airlines frequenting Israel will be asked to refuse to take foreign passengers from the UK, Australia and “red” European countries, according to a prescription awaited from the coronavirus cabinet on Sunday following the discovery of a new strain of the virus. Returning Israelis from abroad face compulsory quarantine in designated hotels after most dodged voluntary isolation. Incoming passenger traffic was found to be a significant source of contagion in the country.

The ministers are also expected to confirm the closure of shops, mails, markets around the country and schools in “red districts” in view of the continuing rise of infection – 1,866 new cases on Saturday and 3,1pc positive cases from 61,000 tests. The death toll totaled 3,074. There are now 447 people in hospital in critical condition, including 110 on ventilators. The vaccination program went into gear on Sunday.