Tens of thousands of Israelis are required to go into self-imposed quarantine for 14 days according to new Health Ministry directives seeking to contain the coronavirus outbreak in Israel.
As of Wednesday, 15 Israelis were confirmed as having contracted the Covid-19 virus.
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The Health Ministry on Wednesday mandated Israelis returning from France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Austria to go into 14 days of home quarantine.
The directives expanded on similar orders issued for travelers returning from Italy, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Thailand, and South Korea.
The ministry reiterated its recommendation for Israelis to refrain from unnecessary trips to these countries.
Healthcare system employees, especially medical personnel, who are considered essential workers, will not be able to travel abroad at all, fearing that they will require two weeks of isolation, the ministry said.
Similar orders were issued to essential personnel in the Israeli security forces as well.
The military on Wednesday said that the 10th biannual Juniper Cobra exercise between the IDF and the United States Europe Command was suspended over fears of the coronavirus.
Some 600 American troops stationed in Europe arrived in Israel this week for the exercise, which was slated to run from March 3-13.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit further confirmed that IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi canceled his planned trip to the United States next week.
The move was "coordinated with the health ministry and according to the recommendation to avoid flights abroad as much as possible," the IDF said.
'Public measure show responsible policy'
Prime Minister Netanyahu held special consultation on the coronavirus situation in Israel on Wednesday.
"As soon as the coronavirus appeared, I determined policy of over-preparation, not under-preparation, for the State of Israel. There was criticism of this but I thought, and still think, that an overly cautious policy is the correct one," he told reporters at a special press conference held in Jerusalem on Wednesday afternoon.
"Public health is our chief concern, which is why we have taken steps that other countries have not. We were the first in the world to block flights from countries in which the virus has a significant presence. We have also taken other measures.
"I know that there is also a not simple economic burden for airlines and businesses. I have appointed Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon to head a ministerial committee in order to assist those businesses and airlines," the prime minister said.
"We are acting responsibly, methodically and with a desire to enlist the cooperation of the public. We can control the disease. To the best of my knowledge, we are working better than any other country in the world. This also depends on the instructions that we are issuing from here, from government offices and from the Prime Minister's Office. It also depends on you, citizens of Israel, all of you, without exception. I thank you for cooperating," Netanyahu said.
'Situation under control'
Also on Wednesday, the Health Ministry has barred bars public events for over 5,000 people, including international symposiums.
In accordance with this directive, events scheduled for next week's Purim celebrations, which include parades and street parties nationwide, have been canceled.
Large sporting events have been cancel as well.
The Health Ministry stressed that as long as they are able to ascertain the source of each patient's infection, the disease can still be contained.
Health Minister Director General Moshe Siman-Tov said, "We are doing four times as many tests than in the US, because we want to reach people faster and reduce their infection potential. This is the way to reduce morbidity numbers.
"Our guidelines may seem like a burden to the public, but the alternative is clear: countries that do not do so are shutting down schools and universities. I understand that these are steps that undermine the economy, but not taking them will deal the economy an even bigger blow," he said.
