The Central Elections Committee on Monday announced it would be setting up special polling stations for Israelis under quarantine over the coronavirus, so as to allow them to exercise their right to participate in next month's general election.
The Health Ministry announced Sunday that Israelis who travel to several Asian countries will be subject to mandatory quarantine for two weeks upon their return to prevent the spread of the potentially deadly virus.
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The mandatory isolation was already in effect for people who arrived in Israel from mainland China, but the new directive expanded this to anyone who arrives from Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Central Elections Committee chief Orly Ades and Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov met on Monday to discuss the impact of the quarantine order on the March 2 vote.
They concluded that special polling stations could be created across the country for Israelis subject to the required 14 days isolation period.
The coronavirus, thought to have emerged at a wildlife market in the central Chinese province of Hubei, has killed over 1,850 people in China with the latest figures showing 72,000 people have been infected.
"Currently, polling stations are in public places, so the Health Ministry asked for help in the matter," the Central Elections Committee said in a statement.
A committee official said there are also concerns that the virus could impact voter turnout, as spreading rumors about potential cases in various polling stations could be used by rival parties to discourage voters.
