Israel Suspends Beijing Flights Due to Coronavirus

El Al Israel Airlines will not be flying to China until further notice because of the outbreak of coronavirus that continues to spread in China and further afield. Airline officials made the announcement on Thur. 30 Jan. 2020. El Al normally operates three flights a week from Tel Aviv to Beijing and back. That same day, Health Minister Yaakov Litzman announced that Israel had also banned flights from China from entering the country due to the spreading of the coronavirus. With over 12,000 cases and more than 260 fatalities reported as of the weekend, numerous world airlines have canceled China flights, including British Airways, United, American, Air Asia, Cathay Pacific, Air India, Lufthansa, and Finnair. In a further measure to prevent the spread of the virus locally, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri on Friday 31 Jan. 2020 ordered the closure of all land and border crossings to those who are not citizens and residents of Israel who recently spent time in China.  Residents returning from China have been instructed to stay in their homes for two weeks. The World Health Organization declared days ago that the coronavirus epidemic in China now constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. The declaration of a global emergency triggers recommendations to all countries aimed at preventing or reducing the cross-border spread of disease. (VFI News)

Lord, we intercede that the latest coronavirus will be quickly contained and spread no further. We pray for remedies to be rapidly developed and believe your word that promises to drive back sickness from our doorstep: "No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling." Ps. 91:10