Israel will significantly increase COVID-19 screening at Ben-Gurion International Airport amid fears of the highly contagious Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, first detected in India.

An Israeli Health Ministry committee has warned the government that keeping Israel’s main point of entry completely open during the summer could result in another outbreak.

Following a meeting with ministers late on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said quarantine enforcement measures were to be enhanced and that 250 police officers would be assigned to the task.

The number of COVID-19 testing stands at Ben-Gurion International Airport is to be increased, and a testing facility is to be established at the site.

In February, all Israelis over the age of 16 became eligible to receive the vaccine.

The Delta variant has spread to more than 80 countries. World Health Organization chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said on June 18 as saying that Delta was becoming the globally dominant variant of the virus.

This is an edited version of an article that first appeared in Israel Hayom.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here