Israelis who violate coronavirus quarantine could face prison

Israelis who violate a mandatory 14-day home quarantine amid concerns they may be infected with the coronavirus face a sentence of up to seven years behind bars, according to a report.

Travelers returning to the Jewish state from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Thailand are required to self-quarantine, the Times of Israel reported.

Those who knowingly violate the measure could be hit with a seven years in prison, while those who do so out of negligence could be locked up for three years, according to the Health Ministry.

“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,” it added.

People were urged to report violators on a website dedicated to the deadly virus.

The country announced earlier this week that it was refusing entry to all foreigners who had traveled to Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau during the past two weeks.

In late January, Israel imposed a similar ban on foreign citizens arriving from China, where the coronavirus emerged in the city of Wuhan.

Meanwhile, 11 Israelis were finally allowed Thursday to leave the Diamond Princess, where the passengers had spent more than two weeks in quarantine off the coast of Japan.

One Israeli was forced to remain on the cruise ship after he was found to have contracted the illness — the fourth Israeli to test positive aboard the ship. The others were being treated at Japanese medical facilities.

“It’s like the exodus from Egypt,” one of the Israelis said in a selfie video before the flight to Tel Aviv.

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