Following the rapid spread of the Coronavirus around the world, the Israeli Ministry of Health has issued new guidelines to the public, along with a travel warning for Italy, where hundreds of cases of the virus have been recorded and several deaths have been caused by the epidemic.

Starting Thursday, Israelis returning from Italy will need to stay at home in isolation for about two weeks.

As part of the guidelines, the ministry is calling on all Israelis to reconsider any trips abroad.

The Ministry of Health stated that “the government has issued a comprehensive travel warning for Italy and in view of the spread of the disease there – we urge residents of Israel not to travel to Italy.”

The Ministry of Health’s assessment is that there is a high chance that Corona has spread in other regions of Europe and in many other parts of the world, and therefore, the Ministry of Health is urging the public to consider the need for travel abroad in general, beyond the obligation for a 14 -day quarantine for those returning from countries in Asia.

In addition, the Ministry cautioned against traveling to conferences and international conventions, including trips to religious events where people from many countries gather. International conferences in Israel should also be avoided.

A few cases of Corona have been sighted in Israel, mostly Israelis returning from the east, and possibly some who have come in contact with tourists from South Korea, but there has yet to be a widespread outbreak.

The novel coronavirus COVID-19 is affecting 48 countries around the world.

China’s National Health Commission stated that at least 82,200 cases of Wuhan coronavirus have been confirmed in the country, including at least 2,800 deaths. Some 33,300 have recovered.

IDF forces securing the entry of Israelis into the city of Shechem (Nablus) on Tuesday night to pray at Joseph’s Tomb exposed a bomb that was apparently meant to target the worshippers.

The forces defused the bomb, without injuries or damage.

About 2,000 worshipers attended the special prayer session held once a month. The event was held without incident.

The entry into Shechem, which was coordinated with the IDF, occurs several times a year. The prayers take place only during the night and under heavy security provided by the Israeli forces.

The residents of southern Israel woke up to a quiet morning on Tuesday after experiencing 24 hours of rocket fire launched by Islamic Jihad terrorists from the Gaza Strip.

The terrorists launched some 100 rockets at Israeli cities and towns throughout Sunday and Monday. Many of the rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system, and others exploded in open spaces.

The last rockets were fired at 11:00 PM, as the Islamic Jihad announced it “had completed its retaliation” for the IDF’s killing of two terrorists on the border fence on Sunday morning as they were planting an explosive device and the subsequent exchange of fire that ensued after this initial incident.

The rockets caused some damage to property but did not directly cause physical injuries.

However, over 20 Israelis were evacuated to hospitals and treated for shock or injuries incurred while running for shelter during the sirens.

Schools remained closed throughout the south on Tuesday, keeping home 65,000 students, but the IDF lifted several of the restrictions and opened the roads it shut down due to threats emanating from the Strip.

The crossings from Israel into Gaza remained closed on Tuesday and the Israeli navy completely banned fishing off Gaza’s coast.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday evening that he “has a message for the heads of the terrorist organizations: If quiet is not restored – you are next in line.”

A second Israeli has tested positive for coronavirus after being flown home from Japan, the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv reported Sunday evening. The patient was on board the Diamond Princess cruise liner and returned to Israel early Friday morning.

The hospital stated that the patient did not catch the virus in Israel and has been quarantined since returning from Japan.

Meanwhile, around 15 Israelis were among some 3,700 passengers trapped on the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in the Japanese port of Yokohama after it was placed under quarantine for two weeks after following the discovery of several cases of coronavirus onboard at the beginning of the month.

Dozens of passengers have already been removed from the ship and hospitalized after testing positive for the virus. Two have died of the virus whilst four Israelis are being treated in hospitals in Japan.

Some 200 people across Israel have been sent into quarantine in their homes after it was discovered over the weekend that a group of South Korean tourists who had recently visited Israel had been infected with the virus. Additionally, 200 South Korean tourists currently in the country are set to be quarantined.

18 members of a group of South Korean pilgrims who had recently visited Israel were diagnosed with the virus after returning to their country, where hundreds of civilians have already been infected.

Israel’s Health Ministry launched an investigation to locate the Israelis who may have had contact with the Korean group while it was in Israel.

IDF troops on Sunday morning identified two terrorists in the Gaza Strip who were planting an explosive device next to the security fence with Israel.

The soldiers opened fire at the terrorists, and “a hit was identified,” the IDF stated.

The two terrorists were probably killed. No Israeli troops were injured in the incident.

This is the latest in almost daily terrorism-related incidents on the border with Gaza.

On Wednesday, Islamic Jihad snipers fired from Gaza at IDF troops inside Israel.

An Israeli Special Forces unit responded by targeting the sniper squad responsible for the attack.