Wave of quarantines: Knesset Channel reporter falls ill - and ten Knesset members enter quarantine

December 19, 2021   

Wave of isolation in the Knesset: Nine Knesset members will have to go into isolation after being exposed to a Knesset Channel reporter who tested positive for COVID-19, with concerns that he may have contracted the Omicron strain. The Knesset members are: Gilad Kariv, Merav Ben Ari, Gadi Yavarkan, Yom Tov Kalfon, Kati Shitrit, Mussi Raz, Moshe Tor Paz, Hamed Amar and Simcha Rotman. Knesset member Alina Bardich-Yalov from Yisrael Beitenu also went into isolation after reporting that she spoke with a Knesset Channel reporter for a few minutes. As a result, seven MKs from the coalition and three from the opposition were placed in isolation. Representatives of the Knesset Secretariat contacted the MKs and updated them with the details of the investigation and findings. The Knesset is examining a number of additional preventive measures that will help reduce the risks of infection. MK Kariv, who was supposed to chair the Constitution Committee meeting, will be replaced by MK Benny Begin. The chairwoman of the coalition and the Health Committee, MK Idit Silman, asked the Knesset Speaker to find other ways to allow MKs to vote other than through the isolation gallery. Silman also recommended limiting the conferences planned this week in the Mishkan in order to curb the outbreak. Meanwhile, about 130 Knesset employees, including former Prime Minister Netanyahu and MK Davidson, are already in isolation due to infection. This is after four employees at the headquarters tested positive for coronavirus and there is a suspicion that three of them were infected with the Omicron strain. However, Netanyahu was tested and received a negative result.