PARIS, France – Israel on Monday added the United States to its ‘no – fly’ list, citing concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
Under the edict, which goes into effect at 2200 GMT on Tuesday, Israelis would need special permission to fly to the United States, now one of more than 50 countries to which citizens cannot travel.
In a televised address on Sunday, Prime Minister Naftali Bennet said Israel Had bought some time by moving fast to limit travel when Omicron was first detected last month, but that this was now waning. He predicted a surge of sicknesses within a few weeks.
Acting on Health Ministry recommendation, cabinet ministers voted on Monday to put the United States, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Morocco, Portugal, Canada, Switzerland and Turkey on the no – fly roster, Bennett’s office said in a statement.
SAS 24 NEWS 