Covid: Israel to impose travel ban for foreigners over new variant Published19 minutes ago

Israel is to ban foreigners from entering the country for 14 days and use surveillance to halt the spread of the new Covid strain, local media report.

The ban is expected to come into effect at midnight on Sunday, following full cabinet approval.

Israel has so far confirmed one case of the potentially more infectious Omicron strain first detected in South Africa.

Many countries have since banned travel to South Africa and its neighbours.

South Africa has complained that it is being punished – instead of applauded – for discovering Omicron earlier this month.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the new variant is “of concern”, with early evidence suggesting a higher re-infection risk.