Omicron-B.1.1.529 variant of coronavirus spreads rapidly
The World Health Organization this week issued a stern warning about the Omicron-B.1.1.529 variant of the corona virus, which was first discovered in South Africa on 24/11/21. As a result of this variant, a steep rise in morbidity was detected, in the areas where the variant spread in Africa. It is estimated that the first infection with this variant occurred as early as 9/11/21. This variant has a large number of mutations and is more contagious than the previous variant (Delta).
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the following steps be taken by world governments:
• Expanding epidemiological monitoring and follow-up of patients in this variant.
• Full genetic identification of the variant in laboratories and national databases.
• Immediate reporting to the World Health Organization, by countries where the variant was discovered.
Three cases have already been reported in Israel and there is a serious fear of an outbreak, as it is still unclear how much the vaccine affects this variant.
Ministry of Health announcement:
In accordance with the government decision and following the recommendation of the Ministry of Health, 50 countries in the African continent were classified as red as specified in the list:
1) Angola
2) Uganda
3) Seychelles
4) Eritrea
5) Ethiopia
6) Aswatini
7) Botswana
8) Burundi
9) Burkina Faso
10) Building
11) Ghana
12) Gabon
13) Djibouti
14) Guinea
15) Guinea-Bissau
16) Equatorial Guinea
17) Gambia
18) South Africa
19) South Sudan
20) The Democratic Republic of the Congo
21) Central African Republic
22) Republic of the Congo (Congo Brazzaville)
23) Zimbabwe
24) Zambia
25) Ivory Coast
26) Togo
27) Tanzania
28) Cape Verde
29) Liberia
30) Mauritania
31) Mauritius
32) Mali
33) Madagascar
34) Mozambique
35) Malawi
36) Lesotho
37) Nigeria
38) Niger
39) Namibia
40) Sao Tome and Principe
41) Somalia
42) Senegal
43) Sierra Leone
44) St. Helena (UK)
45) Chad
46) Comoros
47) Kenya
48) Cameroon
49) Reunion (France)
50) Rwanda
Prohibition of exit to red states
As is well known, there is a ban on leaving Israel for red countries, with the exception of exceptions and with the approval of a committee headed by the Ministry of the Interior. All returnees from a red state, including vaccinated and recovering must be in complete isolation.
Before leaving Israel, it will be necessary to declare on the website of the Ministry of Health and to the airline that the trip is not to a red country.
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Prohibition of entry for foreigners from red countries
Foreigners are not allowed to enter from these countries except in exceptional humanitarian cases and with the approval of a committee headed by the Ministry of the Interior.
Obligation to isolate in hotels for entrants from red countries
The government also approved the obligation to isolate in hotels until a negative result is obtained in a PCR test performed at the entrance to Israel. The obligation will apply Instantly For all entrants from the countries of Ethiopia, Boston, South Africa and Malawi and in the second beat, starting at midnight between Sunday and Monday (29.11.2021) for entrants from the other listed countries.
Anyone who finds positive in the PCR test will continue to stay in isolation in the motel until the end of the isolation days required by the guidelines.
Exceptions for leaving Israel for these countries include:
- Anyone who is not a citizen or resident of Israel.
- Departure to a permanent place of residence by presenting a reference to the Exceptions Committee.
- In exceptional humanitarian or vital cases with the approval of the Exceptions Committee.
- Foreign representatives or Israeli emissaries.
- Aircraft crew.
- Professional athletes subject to the approval of the Exceptions Committee.
- Those who go out for a vital need related to foreign relations or a vital need related to national security.
- An official envoy of one of the national institutions, who received the approval of the Exceptions Committee
- Journalists in the performance of their duties.
Administrative fine for violating the guidelines
Departure to red countries, and even an attempt to leave, in violation of regulations, will expose the passenger to an administrative fine of NIS 5,000.
