Israel closing land crossings to slow virus spread

Israel closing land crossings to slow virus spread

Israel said on Wednesday that it is closing its land crossings with Jordan and Egypt to travellers, in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The decision announced by the interior ministry follows the shutdown of the country's international airport, which took effect on Tuesday.

"To complete the joint efforts to prevent the increase in morbidity, Interior Minister Arye Deri announced that the land crossings will be closed to Israelis and foreigners," the ministry said in a statement.

The crossings to be closed are the Jordan River and Arava -- both with Jordan -- and Taba, which is a crossing with Egypt.

The order will take effect at 0400 GMT on Thursday and remain in place until at least Sunday, when the initial ban on air travel is due to expire too.

Deri said he ordered the crossings closed in order to prevent people seeking alternatives to flying into the country.

"The loophole here is clear, and could be exploited for entry via the land crossings, which would increase the dangers and prevent the accomplishment of the goal in the regulations," Deri said.

The Israeli-controlled Allenby crossing, located in the occupied West Bank and connecting with