5 mar 2020
Lufthansa and subsidiaries Swiss, Austrian Airlines suspend Tel Aviv routes until March 28, after Israel bars entry of non-residents from five European nations
Airline giant Lufthansa said Thursday it was canceling all flights to Israel until March 28, after Jerusalem barred entry to almost all non-resident arrivals from five European nations, including Germany, over coronavirus fears.
“The Lufthansa group sees itself forced to make this cancellation for economic and operational reasons, as many passengers are no longer entitled to enter the country,” the group said in a statement.
Flights to Tel Aviv and Eilat by Lufthansa and its subsidiaries, Swiss and Austrian Airlines, will be canceled starting Sunday, March 8, until the end of the winter timetable on March 28.
Meanwhile, some flights will be halted on Friday and Saturday “as also flight crews are affected by these new restrictions.”
The Health Ministry on Wednesday barred entry to almost all non-residents arriving from France, Germany, Spain, Austria and Switzerland.
Earlier that day, it had already ordered citizens and residents arriving from the same countries to go into home quarantine.
The measures come on top of restrictions previously imposed on arrivals from mainland China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Macau, South Korea, Japan and Italy.
Lufthansa has already announced that it will ground 150 planes, including 25 long-haul aircraft, and slash its flight plan by 25 percent over the impact of the virus.
On Thursday, it said that would entail canceling 7,100 European flights in March, including 3,750 via Germany’s biggest air hub Frankfurt and 3,350 via Munich.
Many of the cancellations will fall on high-frequency domestic services to cities like Berlin and Hamburg.
Meanwhile, “a second focus of the route cancellations” was Italy, with the affected cities including Milan, Venice and Rome.
Passengers are advised to check the Lufthansa website before departing for the airport, as “in addition to domestic German and Italian connections, other flights to Scandinavia, Great Britain, the Baltic States, Poland, Russia, France, Spain, Portugal, etc. are affected,” Lufthansa said.
Among long-haul services, Lufthansa has canceled all routes to virus hotspots, mainland China and Iran, until late April and reduced capacity on routes to Hong Kong and Seoul.
The group has also instituted a hiring freeze.
“It is not yet possible to estimate the impact on earnings” from the virus measures, Lufthansa said.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned Thursday the total revenue impact on the industry could be in the range of $63-$100 billion.
Airline giant Lufthansa said Thursday it was canceling all flights to Israel until March 28, after Jerusalem barred entry to almost all non-resident arrivals from five European nations, including Germany, over coronavirus fears.
“The Lufthansa group sees itself forced to make this cancellation for economic and operational reasons, as many passengers are no longer entitled to enter the country,” the group said in a statement.
Flights to Tel Aviv and Eilat by Lufthansa and its subsidiaries, Swiss and Austrian Airlines, will be canceled starting Sunday, March 8, until the end of the winter timetable on March 28.
Meanwhile, some flights will be halted on Friday and Saturday “as also flight crews are affected by these new restrictions.”
The Health Ministry on Wednesday barred entry to almost all non-residents arriving from France, Germany, Spain, Austria and Switzerland.
Earlier that day, it had already ordered citizens and residents arriving from the same countries to go into home quarantine.
The measures come on top of restrictions previously imposed on arrivals from mainland China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Macau, South Korea, Japan and Italy.
Lufthansa has already announced that it will ground 150 planes, including 25 long-haul aircraft, and slash its flight plan by 25 percent over the impact of the virus.
On Thursday, it said that would entail canceling 7,100 European flights in March, including 3,750 via Germany’s biggest air hub Frankfurt and 3,350 via Munich.
Many of the cancellations will fall on high-frequency domestic services to cities like Berlin and Hamburg.
Meanwhile, “a second focus of the route cancellations” was Italy, with the affected cities including Milan, Venice and Rome.
Passengers are advised to check the Lufthansa website before departing for the airport, as “in addition to domestic German and Italian connections, other flights to Scandinavia, Great Britain, the Baltic States, Poland, Russia, France, Spain, Portugal, etc. are affected,” Lufthansa said.
Among long-haul services, Lufthansa has canceled all routes to virus hotspots, mainland China and Iran, until late April and reduced capacity on routes to Hong Kong and Seoul.
The group has also instituted a hiring freeze.
“It is not yet possible to estimate the impact on earnings” from the virus measures, Lufthansa said.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned Thursday the total revenue impact on the industry could be in the range of $63-$100 billion.
Israel's flag carrier says Health Ministry drastic measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 has effectively cut off foreign tourism the some of the most popular destinations among Israelis
El Al Airlines estimated on Thursday that the government's latest restrictions on travellers arriving from five European countries would further damage its results.
Israel on Wednesday ordered travellers arriving from Germany, France, Spain, Austria and Switzerland to return home into home quarantine over coronavirus concerns.
"At this stage the company cannot estimate the extent of this impact," Israel's flag carrier said in a regulatory filing.
The Israeli government measure effectively cut off foreign tourism from those countries, whose citizens, the Health Ministry said, would not be allowed into Israel unless they could show they had made quarantine arrangements ahead of time.
Israel has already imposed the edict with regard to flights from Italy, China, Thailand and Singapore.
El Al said on Wednesday before the latest restrictions were announced that it was laying off 1,000 of its 6,000 employees and cutting salaries of top management as it struggles to cope with the impact of the global coronavirus outbreak.
Last week, El Al warned of an expected loss in revenue of $50-$70 million in the January-April period due to coronavirus and it has suspended or cut back on many of its flights to Asia and Europe.
El Al Airlines estimated on Thursday that the government's latest restrictions on travellers arriving from five European countries would further damage its results.
Israel on Wednesday ordered travellers arriving from Germany, France, Spain, Austria and Switzerland to return home into home quarantine over coronavirus concerns.
"At this stage the company cannot estimate the extent of this impact," Israel's flag carrier said in a regulatory filing.
The Israeli government measure effectively cut off foreign tourism from those countries, whose citizens, the Health Ministry said, would not be allowed into Israel unless they could show they had made quarantine arrangements ahead of time.
Israel has already imposed the edict with regard to flights from Italy, China, Thailand and Singapore.
El Al said on Wednesday before the latest restrictions were announced that it was laying off 1,000 of its 6,000 employees and cutting salaries of top management as it struggles to cope with the impact of the global coronavirus outbreak.
Last week, El Al warned of an expected loss in revenue of $50-$70 million in the January-April period due to coronavirus and it has suspended or cut back on many of its flights to Asia and Europe.
Patient reportedly entered quarantine upon arrival to Israel; Health Ministry requires all passengers on EasyJet flight EJ3342 from Venice to immediately enter 14-day home quarantine
The Health Ministry on Thursday confirmed that another Israeli has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, the seventeenth case of the pathogen in the country.
The man, a pensioner residing in central Israel, arrived at Ben Gurion airport on Feb. 29 at 12:20 on EasyJet flight EJ3342 from Venice, immediately drove home in a private vehicle and entered home quarantine.
Other passengers, who were on board said flight, are instructed to immediately enter home quarantine for 14 days from the date of landing and report to the Health Ministry via their website.
In case symptoms start appearing, such as fever, coughing or difficulty breathing; patients are instructed to call Magen David Adom 101 hotline.
Meanwhile, the condition of another patient, the owner of a toy store in Or Yehuda who is currently under quarantine at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, has deteriorated on Thursday after his body temperature rose.
Also on Thursday, the Health Ministry announced the 16th case of the deadly virus in a 38-year-old resident of East Jerusalem who works as a tour bus driver and was probably exposed to the pathogen while transporting a group of 21 Greek travelers who recently returned from a pilgrimage to religious sites in Israel and have tested positive for the virus. The bus driver has also been in contact with tourists from Spain and Germany.
He arrived at the Baruch Padeh Medical Center in Tiberias after feeling ill where he was diagnosed with pneumonia and put in an isolated unit. His condition is stable and he is fully conscious.
Also Thursday, Israel Police announced it will begin to crack down on citizens who violate the Health Ministry's directives, which were designed to stem the spread of the virus.
Police said it has opened eight criminal investigations against Israelis who have violated the state’s home quarantine rules or misled health ministry inspectors.
“Israel Police will work in cooperation with the state prosecution in order to bring to justice anyone who chooses to ignore the Health Ministry instructions and endanger, with their actions — whether through negligence or intentionally — raising the dangers of the spread of the coronavirus,” a police official said.
According to police, those who violate the state's directives could face up to seven years in prison.
The Health Ministry on Thursday confirmed that another Israeli has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, the seventeenth case of the pathogen in the country.
The man, a pensioner residing in central Israel, arrived at Ben Gurion airport on Feb. 29 at 12:20 on EasyJet flight EJ3342 from Venice, immediately drove home in a private vehicle and entered home quarantine.
Other passengers, who were on board said flight, are instructed to immediately enter home quarantine for 14 days from the date of landing and report to the Health Ministry via their website.
In case symptoms start appearing, such as fever, coughing or difficulty breathing; patients are instructed to call Magen David Adom 101 hotline.
Meanwhile, the condition of another patient, the owner of a toy store in Or Yehuda who is currently under quarantine at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, has deteriorated on Thursday after his body temperature rose.
Also on Thursday, the Health Ministry announced the 16th case of the deadly virus in a 38-year-old resident of East Jerusalem who works as a tour bus driver and was probably exposed to the pathogen while transporting a group of 21 Greek travelers who recently returned from a pilgrimage to religious sites in Israel and have tested positive for the virus. The bus driver has also been in contact with tourists from Spain and Germany.
He arrived at the Baruch Padeh Medical Center in Tiberias after feeling ill where he was diagnosed with pneumonia and put in an isolated unit. His condition is stable and he is fully conscious.
Also Thursday, Israel Police announced it will begin to crack down on citizens who violate the Health Ministry's directives, which were designed to stem the spread of the virus.
Police said it has opened eight criminal investigations against Israelis who have violated the state’s home quarantine rules or misled health ministry inspectors.
“Israel Police will work in cooperation with the state prosecution in order to bring to justice anyone who chooses to ignore the Health Ministry instructions and endanger, with their actions — whether through negligence or intentionally — raising the dangers of the spread of the coronavirus,” a police official said.
According to police, those who violate the state's directives could face up to seven years in prison.
Man working as bus driver probably exposed to pathogen while transporting Greek pilgrims who have also tested positive; police launch criminal probe against persons who violated quarantine or mislead Health Ministry officials
Another Israeli has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, the sixteenth case in the country, the Health Ministry announced on Thursday.
The man, a 38-year-old resident of East Jerusalem who works as a tour bus driver, has been probably exposed to the pathogen while transporting a group of 21 Greek travelers who recently returned from a pilgrimage to religious sites in Israel and have tested positive for the virus. The bus driver has also been in contact with tourists from Spain and Germany.
He arrived at the Baruch Padeh Medical Center in Tiberias after feeling ill where he was diagnosed with pneumonia and put in an isolated unit. His condition is stable and he is fully conscious.
Also Thursday, Israel Police announced it will begin to crack down on citizens who violate the Health Ministry's directives, which were designed to stem the spread of the virus.
Police said it has opened eight criminal investigations against Israelis who have violated the state’s home quarantine rules or misled health ministry inspectors.
“Israel Police will work in cooperation with the state prosecution in order to bring to justice anyone who chooses to ignore the Health Ministry instructions and endanger, with their actions — whether through negligence or intentionally — raising the dangers of the spread of the coronavirus,” a police official said.
According to police, those who violate the state's directives could face up to seven years in prison.
Another Israeli has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, the sixteenth case in the country, the Health Ministry announced on Thursday.
The man, a 38-year-old resident of East Jerusalem who works as a tour bus driver, has been probably exposed to the pathogen while transporting a group of 21 Greek travelers who recently returned from a pilgrimage to religious sites in Israel and have tested positive for the virus. The bus driver has also been in contact with tourists from Spain and Germany.
He arrived at the Baruch Padeh Medical Center in Tiberias after feeling ill where he was diagnosed with pneumonia and put in an isolated unit. His condition is stable and he is fully conscious.
Also Thursday, Israel Police announced it will begin to crack down on citizens who violate the Health Ministry's directives, which were designed to stem the spread of the virus.
Police said it has opened eight criminal investigations against Israelis who have violated the state’s home quarantine rules or misled health ministry inspectors.
“Israel Police will work in cooperation with the state prosecution in order to bring to justice anyone who chooses to ignore the Health Ministry instructions and endanger, with their actions — whether through negligence or intentionally — raising the dangers of the spread of the coronavirus,” a police official said.
According to police, those who violate the state's directives could face up to seven years in prison.
Former Hamas captive Gilad Shalit, Eurovision winner Netta, the entire Tel Aviv Basketball team, Israel's wealthiest woman and even a high-ranking IDF official are among those ordered by health officials to self-quarantine
Strict measures taken by the health officials in Israel against anyone who may be at risk of contracting coronavirus haven’t passed by Israeli celebrities, including sports stars, politicians and even Gilad Shalit, former IDF soldier held captive by Hamas.
The Health Ministry on Wednesday released new guidelines to contain the spread of the new virus, announcing that Israelis arriving from France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Spain must enter a two-week period of quarantine.
Shalit made news on Wednesday evening when it emerged that he recently returned from a trip to Austria and will have to immediately self-quarantine for two days.
The former soldier became a national figure in the summer of 2006, when he was kidnapped by Hamas on the Gaza Strip border. He was held captive in the enclave for five years and four months.
In addition, Eurovision winner and international star Netta Barzilai who returned from Spain is also required to stay in quarantine.
Israeli television star Guy Pines, who last week tried to bring down the level of hysteria while on his way to Germany, is now also required to enter quarantine.
"I'm heading to a destination that isn't considered 'contaminated,' or else I would have not traveled, I keep an eye on these sorts of things. I'm not panicking, and I don't think other people should either," he said last Thursday.
Avi Nir, Keshet Media Group's CEO and his wife, Shari Arison, Israel’s wealthiest business woman, both also recently returned from the countries with travel advisory and in need of self-quarantine.
The stars of Israeli basketball team Maccabi Tel Aviv, who recently travelled all across Europe for games, have also been asked by the Health Ministry to enter self-quarantine.
Health officials initially appeared to have turned a blind eye to the team's activities, allowing them to continue playing matches in Israel upon their return from Europe. But after mass public pressure, the Health Ministry said Thursday that it would “take measures” against anyone who does not obey the isolation order.
"The Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team has not been excluded from the directive … Violation of the order constitutes a violation of the law,” said the Health Ministry in a statement.
When it comes of politics, Blue & White MK Yoaz Hendel who last week returned from Austria, where he took part in a conference on anti-Semitism, has also entered a self-quarantine at his home in Modshav Nes Harim in central Israel.
Finally, the head of the IDF Operations Directorate, Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu several days ago, after the officer's return from Italy but before he began the 14-day home coronavirus quarantine now required by the Health Ministry for people who have visited the European country.
The Prime Minister's Office said that Netanyahu "was some distance" from him Haliva during the meeting.
The PMO added: "The prime minister regularly shakes hands at the start of a meeting. According to Health Ministry directives, someone in proximity to someone who needs to be quarantined does not have to enter quarantine themselves."
Strict measures taken by the health officials in Israel against anyone who may be at risk of contracting coronavirus haven’t passed by Israeli celebrities, including sports stars, politicians and even Gilad Shalit, former IDF soldier held captive by Hamas.
The Health Ministry on Wednesday released new guidelines to contain the spread of the new virus, announcing that Israelis arriving from France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Spain must enter a two-week period of quarantine.
Shalit made news on Wednesday evening when it emerged that he recently returned from a trip to Austria and will have to immediately self-quarantine for two days.
The former soldier became a national figure in the summer of 2006, when he was kidnapped by Hamas on the Gaza Strip border. He was held captive in the enclave for five years and four months.
In addition, Eurovision winner and international star Netta Barzilai who returned from Spain is also required to stay in quarantine.
Israeli television star Guy Pines, who last week tried to bring down the level of hysteria while on his way to Germany, is now also required to enter quarantine.
"I'm heading to a destination that isn't considered 'contaminated,' or else I would have not traveled, I keep an eye on these sorts of things. I'm not panicking, and I don't think other people should either," he said last Thursday.
Avi Nir, Keshet Media Group's CEO and his wife, Shari Arison, Israel’s wealthiest business woman, both also recently returned from the countries with travel advisory and in need of self-quarantine.
The stars of Israeli basketball team Maccabi Tel Aviv, who recently travelled all across Europe for games, have also been asked by the Health Ministry to enter self-quarantine.
Health officials initially appeared to have turned a blind eye to the team's activities, allowing them to continue playing matches in Israel upon their return from Europe. But after mass public pressure, the Health Ministry said Thursday that it would “take measures” against anyone who does not obey the isolation order.
"The Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team has not been excluded from the directive … Violation of the order constitutes a violation of the law,” said the Health Ministry in a statement.
When it comes of politics, Blue & White MK Yoaz Hendel who last week returned from Austria, where he took part in a conference on anti-Semitism, has also entered a self-quarantine at his home in Modshav Nes Harim in central Israel.
Finally, the head of the IDF Operations Directorate, Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu several days ago, after the officer's return from Italy but before he began the 14-day home coronavirus quarantine now required by the Health Ministry for people who have visited the European country.
The Prime Minister's Office said that Netanyahu "was some distance" from him Haliva during the meeting.
The PMO added: "The prime minister regularly shakes hands at the start of a meeting. According to Health Ministry directives, someone in proximity to someone who needs to be quarantined does not have to enter quarantine themselves."
4 mar 2020
Prime Minister Netanyahu demonstrating the Indian greeting Namaste
Health officials to greet passengers arriving from European countries now named as potential sources of the virus and educate them in the new quarantine guidelines
Tens of thousands of Israelis will be required to remain quarantined as cultural, sporting and other public events including celebrations of the upcoming Purim holiday will all be canceled.
The Health Ministry on Wednesday issued new guidelines to combat the spread of the coronavirus, including a requirement for anyone returning from France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Spain to maintain a two-week quarantine. Travelers returning from China, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, and Italy have already been instructed to do the same.
The ministry is instructing anyone who has arrived from any of these countries within the past two weeks to also enter a period of quarantine.
Five flights from France, seven from Germany, two from Spain, four from Austria and one flight from Switzerland are all expected to land at the Ben-Gurion International Airport before midnight.
Health officials are expected to meet people as they disembark and instruct them in the new guidelines.
Anyone traveling in transit from these destinations will not be required to take any precautionary measures.
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman has also announced he is banning gatherings of over 5,000 people.
Purim festivals and holiday events have been canceled by municipalities around the country and the Jerusalem Municipality said it is considering the cancelation of the Jerusalem Marathon scheduled for March 20.
The Israel Football Association announced matches will continue but the crowds will remain home.
Earlier Wednesday, a teacher who is also a deputy principal in an elementary school near Tel Aviv was confirmed to have been infected by the virus. As of this evening, 2,349 students and 146 teachers and support staff from various schools and kindergartens are among those quarantined.
Eurovision winner and international star Netta Barzilai who returned from Spain is also required to stay in quarantine for two weeks as are 150 El Al crew members.
Tel Aviv and Bar Ilan universities have announced they are canceling all academic conferences that include the participation of international guests at least until the end of April, although the decision is expected to be extended.
The Civil Service Commission announced it is banning all international travel for employees and strongly urges that any civil service member refrain from private international travel as well.
Health workers are also required to stay in Israel at the instruction of the director-general of the Health Ministry.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Health Ministry earlier in the day and briefed reporters on the new measures adopted by the government saying that the world was in the midst of a pandemic. “This is the truth and it must be said,” the prime minister stated.
“Israel is one of the only countries in the West that is in a relatively good place,” the prime minister said. “We’ve taken severe measures in order to prevent the spread [of the virus].”
Netanyahu advised against shaking hands and suggested the Indian greeting Namaste as an option.
Health officials to greet passengers arriving from European countries now named as potential sources of the virus and educate them in the new quarantine guidelines
Tens of thousands of Israelis will be required to remain quarantined as cultural, sporting and other public events including celebrations of the upcoming Purim holiday will all be canceled.
The Health Ministry on Wednesday issued new guidelines to combat the spread of the coronavirus, including a requirement for anyone returning from France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Spain to maintain a two-week quarantine. Travelers returning from China, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, and Italy have already been instructed to do the same.
The ministry is instructing anyone who has arrived from any of these countries within the past two weeks to also enter a period of quarantine.
Five flights from France, seven from Germany, two from Spain, four from Austria and one flight from Switzerland are all expected to land at the Ben-Gurion International Airport before midnight.
Health officials are expected to meet people as they disembark and instruct them in the new guidelines.
Anyone traveling in transit from these destinations will not be required to take any precautionary measures.
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman has also announced he is banning gatherings of over 5,000 people.
Purim festivals and holiday events have been canceled by municipalities around the country and the Jerusalem Municipality said it is considering the cancelation of the Jerusalem Marathon scheduled for March 20.
The Israel Football Association announced matches will continue but the crowds will remain home.
Earlier Wednesday, a teacher who is also a deputy principal in an elementary school near Tel Aviv was confirmed to have been infected by the virus. As of this evening, 2,349 students and 146 teachers and support staff from various schools and kindergartens are among those quarantined.
Eurovision winner and international star Netta Barzilai who returned from Spain is also required to stay in quarantine for two weeks as are 150 El Al crew members.
Tel Aviv and Bar Ilan universities have announced they are canceling all academic conferences that include the participation of international guests at least until the end of April, although the decision is expected to be extended.
The Civil Service Commission announced it is banning all international travel for employees and strongly urges that any civil service member refrain from private international travel as well.
Health workers are also required to stay in Israel at the instruction of the director-general of the Health Ministry.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Health Ministry earlier in the day and briefed reporters on the new measures adopted by the government saying that the world was in the midst of a pandemic. “This is the truth and it must be said,” the prime minister stated.
“Israel is one of the only countries in the West that is in a relatively good place,” the prime minister said. “We’ve taken severe measures in order to prevent the spread [of the virus].”
Netanyahu advised against shaking hands and suggested the Indian greeting Namaste as an option.
Quarantine teams outside the 'Red Pirate' store in central Israel
Health Ministry confirms one of the 3 new patients returned from Italy last week, while the other 2 contracted COVID-19 in Israel from a manager of a toy store in central Israel, who also recently arrived from the European country
Three more people have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in Israel to at 15, the Health Ministry confirmed on Wednesday.
One of the patients returned from a trip to Italy on February 29, while the other two contracted the virus from a manager of a toy store in central Israel, who tested positive for coronavirus last week, four days after also returning from a trip to Italy. One of the two infected is a teenager who worked part-time at the "Red Pirate" store in Or Yehuda, while the other is a customer, a deputy principal of a school in southern Israel.
Italy is now among the countries severely affected by the health crisis, with 79 confirmed fatalities and over 2,502 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus.
Last week the Health Ministry issued a travel warning to the country, adding that anyone returning from the European state must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days.
The patient who returned from Italy on Saturday, arrived via an EasyJet airline flight number EJU3342 at 4:30 pm.
The Health Ministry asks all passengers who were on the same flight to immediately self-quarantine for two weeks and report to the ministry online or via phone.
The ministry also confirmed the infected store employee attends a ninth-grade high school in Brenner Regional Council in central Israel. As a result, the school said they're cancelling studies for all classes starting Wednesday and all 1150 students will enter a two-week quarantine until 12 of March.
The store’s manager was diagnosed with the illness last Thursday. He attended work for at three days before being taken to the hospital with symptoms of the virus. The man's wife has since also contracted coronavirus.
The couple lives in the community of Irus, located south of Rishon LeZion in central Israel, but are currently in quarantine at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv.
On Sunday, a female soldier who also worked at the store tested positive for the virus.
Two of the 15 Israelis who contracted the virus since the start of the outbreak have since have fully recovered. The rest are currently in the dedicated quarantine area at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv.
Health Ministry confirms one of the 3 new patients returned from Italy last week, while the other 2 contracted COVID-19 in Israel from a manager of a toy store in central Israel, who also recently arrived from the European country
Three more people have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in Israel to at 15, the Health Ministry confirmed on Wednesday.
One of the patients returned from a trip to Italy on February 29, while the other two contracted the virus from a manager of a toy store in central Israel, who tested positive for coronavirus last week, four days after also returning from a trip to Italy. One of the two infected is a teenager who worked part-time at the "Red Pirate" store in Or Yehuda, while the other is a customer, a deputy principal of a school in southern Israel.
Italy is now among the countries severely affected by the health crisis, with 79 confirmed fatalities and over 2,502 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus.
Last week the Health Ministry issued a travel warning to the country, adding that anyone returning from the European state must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days.
The patient who returned from Italy on Saturday, arrived via an EasyJet airline flight number EJU3342 at 4:30 pm.
The Health Ministry asks all passengers who were on the same flight to immediately self-quarantine for two weeks and report to the ministry online or via phone.
The ministry also confirmed the infected store employee attends a ninth-grade high school in Brenner Regional Council in central Israel. As a result, the school said they're cancelling studies for all classes starting Wednesday and all 1150 students will enter a two-week quarantine until 12 of March.
The store’s manager was diagnosed with the illness last Thursday. He attended work for at three days before being taken to the hospital with symptoms of the virus. The man's wife has since also contracted coronavirus.
The couple lives in the community of Irus, located south of Rishon LeZion in central Israel, but are currently in quarantine at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv.
On Sunday, a female soldier who also worked at the store tested positive for the virus.
Two of the 15 Israelis who contracted the virus since the start of the outbreak have since have fully recovered. The rest are currently in the dedicated quarantine area at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv.
