Knesset approves electronic bracelet for citizens returning from abroad

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The Knesset on Wednesday approved a COVID-19 bill that requires Israelis returning from abroad to choose either to wear an electronic bracelet that ensures they isolate at home or be quarantined in a hotel, the Jerusalem Post reports. According to the government, such measures are necessary to reopen Israel’s borders, at least to citizens.

Israeli citizens returning home from abroad currently have to produce a vaccination or recovery certificate issued by Israel’s Ministry of Health or isolate. Those who have a requisite certificate can forgo quarantine if they pass a serological test proving their level of antibodies, the Jerusalem Post said.

Under the terms of the new bill, private companies will act on behalf of the government to monitor the bracelets and inform the authorities if anyone is breaching their quarantine, the Jerusalem Post said. The bracelet will not track the wearer but will tell authorities that the person has left their isolation area.

The bracelet will only be able to hold information about whether the wearer has breached quarantine. All information gathered will be stored in government-owned servers and deleted after 30 days if isolation requirements were complied with.

The new legislation makes exceptions for children under 14 and for special humanitarian cases.

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