Lapid goes into quarantine as aide tests positive for COVID-19

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid entered quarantine on Tuesday after one of his aides tested positive for the coronavirus, his ministry said in a statement.

Lapid was also tested for the virus and found to be negative.

The aide was on a flight with Lapid and his team as they returned from a visit to Brussels where he met with his European Union counterparts.

None of the others who were on the flight, including the minister, were found to have caught the virus.

However, after consulting with the Health Ministry, Lapid and his team entered quarantine until further instructions, the statement said.

It was not clear how long Lapid planned to self-isolate as those who are vaccinated and recovered from COVID-19 are not required to enter isolation unless they are confirmed to have the virus.

The development came as the coronavirus cabinet approved reducing to just seven days the quarantine period for those who are exposed to a known virus carrier.

The quarantine period previously stood at 10 days with two negative tests, or 14 days without testing for those who are not vaccinated or have not recovered from the virus after exposure.

Since the start of the pandemic, several government ministers, including then-prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have been forced to isolate after coming into contact with virus carriers.