Israel Eases Quarantine Guidelines, Despite Spike in Infections

Jerusalem, 28 December, 2021 (TPS) -- Prime Minister Naftali Bennett convened top health officials on Tuesday and held a discussion on updating the quarantine format for those who have been exposed to verified Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, easing the restrictions despite Israel’s apparently entry into its fifth wave of infections.

The participants decided that those who have been vaccinated will undergo a corona test and quarantine until the result is received, regardless of the variant in question. Over the next 10 days after receiving a negative test result, they “will avoid crowded leisure and recreation venues and contact with high-risk populations.”

This applies to all Israelis aged five and over.

Those who have not been vaccinated will be required to quarantine for seven days and undergo coronavirus tests at the start of their quarantine and on the seventh day, with negative results, as a condition for the quarantine’s conclusion.

Up until now, a vaccinated Israeli who was exposed to the Omicron strain was required to enter 14 days of isolation, or seven days provided he presents two negative tests.

The decision will take effect Wednesday by means of an order signed by the Health Ministry Director-General, with the approval of the Knesset Health Committee.

This ease in restrictions comes despite a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases in the country.

The Ministry of Health updated Tuesday that it documented 2,952 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the highest number since the beginning of October.

The rate of Corona tests that returned positive over the last day was 2.35%, another increase over the recent days. At the same time, the infection coefficient (R) increased to 1.47, indicating the broad spread of the virus.

A total of 11,475 cases were registered over the past seven days, a 92.1% increase over the week before that.

However, hospitals are still not feeling the expected pressure. A total of 85 corona patients are hospitalized in serious condition.