WATCH: Viral Video of Israeli Quarantine Breaker Arrested by Hazmat-Clad Police

An ambulance, carrying an Israeli woman returning from Italy displaying symptoms of COVID-
JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty
Deborah Brand

TEL AVIV – A dramatic video making the rounds on social media shows a man being arrested by police in full protective gear in Tel Aviv for apparently violating his home quarantine.

The man, 47, was arrested on Bograshov Street, a main road in central Tel Aviv, after a report circulated he had broken his self-quarantine a second time, police said in a statement. The first arrest was last Friday at a train station, where he had attacked security guards.

“The police call on the public to listen to directives and instructions from the Health Ministry; not following them disrupts the national effort to fight the outbreak of the virus and its spread in Israel,” a statement from Israel Police said.

Police also demanded people abstain from “spreading fake news” about coronavirus in Israel.

“Additionally, there is an absolute prohibition on spreading fake news whose sole purpose is to plant panic throughout the public. Relevant and authoritative information, including updates and official directives, will be published only by authorized officials and on the Health Ministry website.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said the government will employ “counter-terrorism measures” and digital tracking technologies using GPS data from cellphones to track COVID-19.

“We will very soon begin using technology… digital means that we have been using in order to fight terrorism,” Netanyahu said.

“We are at war with an invisible enemy,” the premier said.

More than 63,000 Israelis have been ordered to self-quarantine, and international travel has been closed off for days. All recreational businesses, such as movie theaters and malls, have been shuttered. Gatherings of more than ten people in the same place (the minimum number for a prayer quorum) are barred.

Israel has also closed all kindergartens, pre-schools, schools and universities until further notice.

Of the nearly 8,000 coronavirus tests performed so far in Israel, 250 have been found to have COVID-19. Five are in serious condition, and four have so far recovered. There have been no deaths so far. One pregnant woman found to be a carrier of the virus had her baby separated from her immediately after giving birth.

Netanyahu was also tested and found to be clear of the virus on Sunday.

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