Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Authorities extend COVID-19 restrictions until October 14 /update 61

Event

Israeli authorities have extended ongoing lockdown restrictions that were expected to expire on October 11 until at least October 14 due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The lockdown includes the closing of all nonessential businesses, only allowing people to gather in family groups, and a limit prohibiting travel over 1km (0.6mi) from home except for essential purposes. Schools and synagogues will remain closed. Only essential shops and business sectors are to remain open.

There are restrictions on outbound flights as part of the nationwide lockdown imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19. Individuals will be permitted to take flights out of the country provided tickets were booked prior to when the total lockdown that went into effect on September 25. Flights into the country may continue without limitations, although arrivals from 'red' countries with high COVID-19 rates are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. Some exceptions will be made for domestic flights from Eilat Ramon Airport in the south of Israel to permit essential workers or those seeking medical treatment to access the center of the country. The flight restrictions will also affect entry into the Occupied Palestinian Territories, as the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge border crossing with Jordan is closed until further notice.

As of Thursday, October 1, there have been 253,490 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Israel with 1622 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the virus.