Speaking at the start of Sunday morning’s cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett discussed the newly discovered Omicron variant of the coronavirus and the government’s measures to contain its spread.
So far, seven cases of the new variant have been confirmed in Israel, and while concrete information on the implications is limited, there are reports of increased mortality rates in South Africa, where the variant was first sequenced.
“The Omicron variant is spreading in more and more places around the world,” Bennett said. “More and more countries have now imposed restrictions. At yesterday’s meeting of the coronavirus cabinet, we made the decision to take several severe steps in order to protect the country beyond its borders and keep it open within them. As we learn more about the variant, we will be able to reassess and adjust the steps we take.
“What I am now asking of the general public is patience and obedience,” Bennett continued. “I realize that people are weary of living in the shadow of the coronavirus, and I know people are saying, ‘We just got out of the Delta variant, and now a new variant has arrived.’ It’s not easy for anyone, but that’s just the way it is.
“Our task now as a government is to enable life to continue as normal as far as possible. Therefore, we are holding a situation assessment every single day, in order to gauge the extent and severity of the threat, and taking concomitant steps. Right now, what we need to do is tighten the restrictions in order to enable the country to remain open within its borders. Yes, some of you will have to change your vacation destinations, and will have to enter quarantine when you return; it’s the same for all of us,” he added.
“The decision to impose strict border controls was not an easy one to take,” Bennett stressed, “but it is a temporary measure, and a necessary one. Several sectors will be negatively impacted, such as tourism and aviation, and we will be taking them into consideration. What is most important is that we put in place several layers of protection against this threat. We have vaccines, and I ask of all of you: Go and get vaccinated. It will protect you. Get a booster shot, or the mini-vaccine for children. This should reduce the chances of your becoming seriously ill if you get infected. Take care of yourselves; go and get vaccinated today,” he said.