PM Bennet says Indian variant is spreading, recommends Israelis should not travel abroad

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday recommended Israelis should not travel abroad because, he said, the Indian variant of the COVID-19 virus “is spreading rapidly around the world,” Israel News reports. The PM made his remarks three days after a fresh outbreak of COVID-19 was reported in two schools in the northern Israeli town of Binyamina, with 45 people infected.

The Indian variant, also known as the Delta strain B.1.617, is the fourth strain the World Health Organization has decreed a variant of global concern. (The first three strains to be so identified were from the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil). Many countries, including the US, have restricted travel to and from India because this new strain is reportedly highly transmissible.

In his statement to reporters during a visit to Ben Gurion airport Tuesday, Bennet said: “The Delta strain, the Indian strain, is spreading rapidly around the world. Its infection rate is much higher than we realized. It infects about 50% more than the original corona strain and we are seeing the beginning of its spread within Israel.”

According to the PM, the new strain can be contracted by people who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 as well as those who have not, Israel News said. In particular, Bennet said: “We have seen in other countries like the UK a significant increase in child hospitalizations.” Therefore, Bennet stated, the government has decided to deal with the Indian variant as if it were a new outbreak.

“Our goal is to interrupt it; take a bucket of water and pour it over the fire when it is still small. I ask those who do not have to go abroad – don’t go abroad,” The contagion incident in Binyamina originated with a family who came from a vacation in Cyprus. If it is possible to give up the holiday – I recommend not booking,” Bennett said.

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