Netanyahu says Israel will shut down ‘hermetically’ to arrivals for a week

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is going to “close hermetically” to arrivals from abroad, apparently for a week, in an effort to thwart the arrival of mutated versions of the coronavirus.

At the outset of the cabinet meeting, which started after a two-hour delay, Netanyahu says: “We are closing the country hermetically. Just in this week of closing the skies, we will vaccinate another million Israelis.”

He claims “no country” has taken such a step, although Israel’s border policy has for months been seen as too lax and blamed for many COVID-19 cases being imported.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.