Israel to 'hermetically seal' borders due to pandemic

Foreign airlines will not be able to fly to and from Israel from January 26 to 31, Report informs referring to the Haaretz newspaper.

The government has approved the decision to combat the spread of coronavirus.

"We are ahead of the entire world. No nation has done what we are about to do – we are hermetically sealing the country," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting.

Foreign cargo planes, firefighting planes, and medical emergency flights will be exempt from the restriction on incoming foreign flights. Restrictions will also be placed on Israeli airlines.

Israelis will be able to leave the country for overseas medical treatment, legal proceedings, family funerals, or relocation.