Israel tightens travel restrictions over new Covid variant

Israel has approved barring entry to foreign nationals and the use of controversial technology for contact tracing as part of its efforts to crack down on a new coronavirus variant (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Israel has approved barring entry to foreign nationals and the use of controversial technology for contact tracing as part of its efforts to crack down on a new coronavirus variant.

The Health Ministry said in a statement that the country’s coronavirus cabinet has authorised a raft of measures, including red-listing travel to 50 African countries, banning entry by foreigners, and mandating quarantine for all Israelis arriving from abroad.