Israel is contemplating ordering all international travelers into quarantine Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday evening in a special press conference held in Jerusalem with Health Minister Yakov Litzman.
Netanyahu stressed that Israel remains in control of the situation, saying that a final decision about a comprehensive quarantine directive for travelers from anywhere, including the United States, would be made on Monday.
"If we take more steps, it will be on all countries," the prime minister said. "We are not talking about closing our gates, we are talking about quarantine for those who come from abroad.
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"This is not an easy decision, but health, public health, must come first," Netanyahu continued, saying that while he understood the concerns expressed about the economic impact of such drastic measures, "Without health there won't be an economy. This [the steps taken] ensures the economy."
The Health Ministry has so far imposed 14-day quarantine on all Israelis returning from Spain, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, China, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, and Italy have already been instructed to do the same.
Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu said his government would establish a 4 billion shekel ($1.2 billion) fund to help Israeli companies impacted by the global coronavirus outbreak. During the press conference, he said that other than a vaccine, one of the things Israel will focus on going forward was the development of a home test for the virus.
He further commended the public for "adhering to the [Health] Ministry's orders. The public's compliance is highly impressive. It saves lives."
Netanyahu told reporters that he also spoke with US Vice President Mike Pence shortly after Sunday's the cabinet meeting, to discuss possibly including the US in the list of countries to which the Health Ministry's travel advisory applies.
The Prime Minister's Office said the call focused on scientific and technological efforts of dealing with the spread of the virus and its aftermath.
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman told reporters that the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to rise.
"Everyone thought we were exaggerating with the directives, but we were right. That's why Israel is doing better than other countries right now. We had to make many tough decisions, for the economy as well, but the only thing we focus on is [public] health. People will understand it, even if it causes an inconvenience here and there. We have to maintain strict quarantine."
Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Simon-Tov noted that while the public should be prepared for things to get worse, Israel was doing its best to remain in control of the situation.
Following Sunday evening's press conference, Channel 13 News reported that the Ben-Gurion International Airport said it would be temporarily shuttering its main incoming flights terminal.
