The special coronavirus ministerial committee announced drastic measures on Sunday to ensure the highly infectious strain found in the UK would not spread in Israel.
The ministers announced that all passengers arriving from Britain, Denmark and South Africa would be subject to a special form of quarantine in a government-run facility.
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The new strand has led to a new lockdown in London and southeast England after scientists said it had the ability to infect at a rate that is 70% higher than other forms of coronavirus, even though carriers of this new strand are not at a higher risk of developing the COVID-19 respiratory illness associated with the virus.
The scientists also said that the vaccines currently being used and developed against coronavirus would likely be as effective against it as they have been against the more common variety.
The government is also poised to decide on new measures aimed at curtailing the rise in daily infections, which could include a halt to all non-essential commerce.
During the ministerial meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was in favor of a total ban on tourists to Israel. He said that "we will make sure all Israelis will be allowed back; we can stop this strain from making its way to Israel."
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