Airport to close for 14 days, pending cabinet approval Sunday, as Israel fears import of virus mutations

Health and justice ministries trade blame over lack of testing for international arrivals; transportation minister accuses predecessor of failing to set up a lab at airport

If approved, exemptions to be permitted for diplomatic, humanitarian reasons; Justice Ministry says no legal obstacles to requiring negative test from inbound travelers

Requirement for travelers to spend 2 weeks in state facilities had faced public criticism, was selectively enforced, and prompted clashes at isolation centers

Israelis who had returned from abroad clash with guards at Jerusalem IDF-run facility; Gantz, deputy health minister say policy should be rethought

Though cabinet ordered all arrivals isolated at gov't facilities, only some 12% said to actually go; passengers report pandemonium upon landing: 'Nothing prepared in advance'

130 arrivals on 2 flights taken to hotels for isolation, but 30 refuse to go; decision also affects South Africa, Denmark arrivals, as COVID-19 mutations found in all 3 countries

Ministers meet on more infectious COVID-19 mutation found in Britain, mull barring all overseas flights; PM says no indication vaccine would not work against new strain

Health Ministry reportedly holds several meetings on mutation, seeks to test Israelis returning from Britain for new, more infectious variant

Plan recommends opening additional check-in, passport control counters; limiting the number of planes allowed to disembark at the same time; dividing passengers into groups