The Ministry of Health announced tonight (Sunday) that a new mutation of the corona virus, which originated in Los Angeles, has been detected in Israel for the first time. The mutation was discovered through a flooring process by an Israeli living in California, who came to visit Israel. It was further reported that four more people were infected from the verified patient, and that “the incident is under investigation”.
The new mutation was first discovered in California late last month. At this point it is not clear with certainty whether it is contagious or causes more severe morbidity than the original corona virus, although there are estimates that it is responsible for the sharp rise in morbidity observed in California.
Earlier today, the Ministry of Health updated on five more cases with the South African variant of the virus, which was detected in returnees from South Africa or Dubai and in their contacts. To date, 27 verified with the South African variety have been identified in the country, in nine infection chains.
In the wake of fears of further mutations of the corona virus into Israel, the government this evening approved the proposal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein to close Ben Gurion Airport to inbound and outbound flights starting tomorrow at midnight, except in exceptional and humanitarian cases. Next Sunday at midnight (January 31) The Minister of Immigration and Absorption, Pnina Temano Sheta, opposed the decision, which also includes preventing the entry of new immigrants into the country..
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Health, the ban on foreign planes entering Israel will not include cargo flights, firefighting flights and flights for medical emergency evacuation. The ban on boarding the flight will also apply to flights using Israeli private jets. Exceptions to departure on a flight outside Israel will be reduced to include only the following cases: medical treatment, legal proceedings that the person is a party to or is required to participate in, or the funeral of a relative. Directors of the Ministry of Health and Transportation may approve exceptional requests due to a humanitarian need or a special personal need to leave Israel.