Israel is taking a tough stance against those who violate self-quarantines for coronavirus.
The country’s Health Ministry warned Thursday that if travelers returning from East Asia willfully violate mandatory coronavirus quarantines, they could spend the next seven years in prison, according to the Times of Israel. It also said that those who violate the home quarantines out of negligence may face three years behind bars.
Because of concerns about the spreading viral outbreak, all travelers returning to Israel from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and Thailand are required to self-quarantine for two weeks after they arrive. The Health Ministry also encouraged citizens to report potential violations to the government.
“The Health Ministry sees members of the public that have been requested to isolate themselves as full partners in preventing the spread of the disease in Israel,” the ministry said in a statement. “We’re sure they will show responsibility toward their family members, friends, and toward sick and frail people in society, and reduce the risk of infections.”
Israel has taken a firm stance as concerns about the virus continue. In addition to the self-quarantines, the country announced it would refuse entry to all foreign nationals who have visited the countries in question during the last two weeks. Israel has not had a single confirmed case of the illness.
Some 75,000 people have been infected with the virus, most of whom are in the Chinese mainland and particularly in Hubei Province, where the illness originated in December. More than 2,100 people have died from the virus, which the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said could be about 20 times more deadly than the common flu.
