Omicron

Israel to close to tourists for two weeks

Coronavirus Cabinet to discuss reinstating GPS tracking for those found to have contracted new 'Omicron' variant.

IDF steps in to help fight new COVID-19 variant

IDF's Home Front Command assisting civilian authorities with the 'Omicron' COVID-19 variant.

Israel 'redlists' 50 African countries

Israel bans travel to 50 African countries, imposes 5,000 NIS fine for violations.

Israel may have eight cases of new Omicron variant

Health Ministry confirms: One verified case of Omicron COVID-19 variant, seven more suspected. Most of the suspected cases are unvaccinated.

Expert: Pfizer vaccine likely protects against severe illness

Prof. Barry Schoub says those vaccinated with Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine likely protected from severe illness even if infected with Omicron.

Omicron variant

No restrictions likely for Hanukkah events

Coronavirus Cabinet to discuss complete closure of Israel's borders to foreigners.

South Africa: We are being punished for our early detection

South Africa has started engaging countries that have imposed travel bans to persuade them to reconsider.

Switzerland bars entry of Israelis due to new COVID-19 variant

Germany, UK, join list of countries where new 'Omicron' variant from South Africa has been identified.

WHO names new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron'

World Health Organization says newly identified COVID-19 variant in South Africa is a "variant of concern".

'Restricting entry from other countries may be required'

Following discovery of new variant, Professor Salman Zarka says entry to tourists from other countries should be banned.

Travel from Africa banned

PM Bennett: New strain is extremely concerning:

Responding to arrival of new COVID-19 variant, Israeli government issues list of instructions for those arriving from affected countries.

PM Bennett: 'New COVID-19 variant spreads at much quicker pace'

'Overriding principle is to take quick, strong action, on entry to & exit from Israel,' PM Bennett says at meeting on new COVID-19 variant.

New South African variant identified in Israel

New variant with heavily-mutated spike identified in one person returning from east Africa. Two other cases are suspected.

Britain sounds alarm over new COVID-19 variant

Britain temporarily bans flights from South Africa and five other countries due to new B.1.1.529 coronavirus variant.

Israel eyes travel ban to southern Africa over COVID mutation

Amid concerns over spread of new coronavirus strain, Bennett meets with health officials, weighs travel ban.

New COVID-19 variant discovered with 32 spike mutations

Several of the variants confirmed to increase virulence & reduce antibody recognition.