Domestic intelligence
Israel stops cell phone monitoring of Omikron infected people
Travelers with mouth and nose protection arrive at Ben Gurion Airport. Israel has ended cell phone monitoring of Omikron infected people. Photo: Ariel Schalit / AP / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Israel had already used cell phone data to monitor people infected with corona in an earlier phase of the pandemic. However, this measure has now been terminated again after a short time.
Israel ended the controversial cell phone monitoring of corona patients infected with the Omicron variant after a few days.
In view of “the updated assessment of the situation”, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Minister of Health Nitzan Horowitz decided to do so, Bennett’s office announced on Thursday evening.
The cell phone surveillance by the domestic secret service Schin Bet expires on Friday night and will not be extended. Depending on the number of infected people, the measure will be considered again.
The aim had been to break the chain of infection with the new Omikron variant, as the message said. The government voted on Sunday for the Schin Bet to use surveillance technology again. This measure was already used in an earlier phase of the pandemic, but stopped again due to criticism.
In addition, there will be penalties in the future for people who do not take the mandatory corona test to end the quarantine after a stay abroad, according to a further message from Bennett’s office. The penalty should therefore not be higher than around 700 euros. The Ministry of Health and the police would synchronize their data so that the tickets would be issued automatically.
The omicron variant (B.1.1.529) was first detected in southern Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies them as “worrying”. Until further notice, anyone returning to Israel from any country – including vaccinated Israelis – must be isolated for at least three days upon entry. Tourists are initially banned from entering the country until the end of next week.