Nine Israeli parliamentarians are participating in the legislative process from behind a glass panel – and at all other times are maintaining a strict quarantine – after exposure to a suspected carrier of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
A journalist with the Knesset Channel tested positive for the coronavirus this weekend but is suspected of being infected with Omicron.
“The Knesset members have been in contact with the journalist, according to an epidemiological investigation,” said a spokesperson for the Israeli parliament.
The quarantined Knesset members include:
Keti Sheetrit, Likud
Gadi Yevarkan, Likud
Simcha Rothman, Religious Zionism
Gilad Kariv, Labor
Yom Tov Kalfon, Yamina
Merav Ben-Ari, Yesh Atid
Moshe Tur-Paz, Yesh Atid
Hamad Amar, Yisrael Beytenu, and
Mossi Raz, Meretz.
All those who come into contact with an Omicron carrier must enter a three-day quarantine, regardless of vaccination status, under current restrictions.
Last week a number of top Israeli officials were required to quarantine after exposure to people testing positive for the virus.
Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu entered quarantine on Friday night, along with some 130 others, after it was discovered that three Knesset members as well as Netanyahu’s personal trainer were infected with the virus.
Two days earlier, Defense Minister Benny Gantz likewise entered isolation after one of his aides tested positive for COVID-19.
On Tuesday Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was tested for the virus after one of the passengers on his flight to Israel from the United Arab Emirates was also found to be infected.