Posted on 06/21/21
| News Source: i24
Fines for those traveling to so-called "banned" countries will reportedly be several thousand shekels
Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said on Monday that authorities were working with the transport ministry to expand testing for the coronavirus at Ben-Gurion airport after an influx of passengers on Friday overwhelmed staff and thousands of people were allowed into the country without being tested.
He said the ministry is demanding more staff be hired to conduct testing and for the airport to reserve more room for the screenings.
"The queues are already shorter, but that is not enough. We need to shorten them better, and especially prepare for the rush expected at the airport during the summer months," he said.
He added that "very high" financial penalties will be imposed on anyone traveling to so-called "prohibited" countries, which include Russia, India, Argentina, and Brazil among others.
Meanwhile, the government will re-impose guidelines requiring unvaccinated people entering Israel to wear tracking devices, as authorities seek to strengthen enforcement of quarantine rules, the Walla News website reported on Monday.
According to the report, the health ministry is already in contact with possible suppliers of trackers, assured that it will have support to pass regulations governing their use, now that the ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, parties are outside the ruling coalition.