Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went into self-quarantine on Monday after a parliamentary aide tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), though it does not appear that she posed an infection risk to him, Israeli officials said on Monday.
Israeli media reported that the aide was present at the Knesset last week when Netanyahu and opposition lawmakers were there.
Just to be sure, Netanyahu is going to be tested for the virus by Tuesday, according to Reuters. The prime minister took a test earlier this month, and it came back negative.
“The preliminary assessment is that there is no need for the prime minister to self-isolate as he was not in close contact with the patient, nor did he meet with her,” an Israeli official said, according to the report. The official also said Netanyahu is holding most of his meetings now by video.
The official added that Netanyahu had “decided that he and his personal staff will remain in isolation until the epidemiological investigation is completed.”
Israel has reported 4,347 cases of coronavirus infection and 16 fatalities to date, and is scheduled to discuss the option on Monday of completely locking down parts of the country.
Israeli Health Ministry regulations usually require a two-week quarantine for those exposed to a known carrier of the virus.
