An Israeli returning from the United States neglected to warn the airplane crew of his coronavirus diagnosis, later taking a flight with 50 other passengers, according to Channel 13.
The Israeli man, a Beitar Ilite resident, had taken a coronavirus test before leaving Israel, and didn't wait for results before deciding to leave the country. Upon his arrival in the United States, he received a positive coronavirus test result. He later decided to return to Israel without checking in with the relevant American and Israeli authorities, despite being notified with an official notice prior to his return flight regarding the proper protocols and guidelines in the event of a positive coronavirus diagnosis.The man said that he had decided to return fully knowing he had the virus, because he had no way of receiving medical care while he was abroad. While his flight was in the air his family contacted the Health Ministry and notified them that he was returning to the country positive for the virus, according to Channel 12. Upon arriving at Ben-Gurion International airport Friday morning, Magen David Adom workers accompanied him from the plane, and transferred him to a quarantine hotel along with the other 50 passengers that were on the flight with him, all of whom were later tested.
The airport authorities were forced to heighten their routine cleaning and sterilizing protocols after it became clear that the passenger arrived to Israel with coronavirus. The Health Ministry is allegedly taking measure towards filing an official complaint with the police, according to Channel 12.
US officials decided to cancel the man's visa upon being notified of the situation, preventing him to from continuing his job as kosher instructor in the US's meat industry.
In addition Israeli airlines, several international airlines have already announced a return to routine flight schedules to Israel. Early Friday, an Austrian airport website reported that its carrier Wizz Air is planning to resume flights from Tel Aviv to Vienna as early as May, in accordance with international and national guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.