Israel bans flights to US and nine other countries over omicron strain

Israel has expanded the list of countries whose entry is prohibited for its citizens, the Haaretz newspaper reported, citing the country's cabinet of ministers.

From midnight on Tuesday, December 22 (1:00 Moscow time), Israelis are not allowed to fly to the United States , CANADA, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, Morocco, Portugal, Turkey and Switzerland. Travel to these countries and the entry of citizens from them are prohibited. Those returning to Israel from the "red countries" will have to undergo a seven-day quarantine.

On Sunday, December 19, Ireland, Norway, Spain, Finland, France, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates were included in the "red list". Travel there has been banned since December 20, Israel News writes. In total, in the list of "red countries", in addition to the above, there are 53 states.

Israel became the first country to begin closing its borders due to the spread of the omicron strain. Authorities have also tightened self-isolation and testing requirements for Israelis returning from overseas.