JERUSALEM : In a bid to relieve economic pressures, Israel has shortened the quarantine period for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, according to government authorities.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horwitz agreed to reduce the necessary isolation period for asymptomatic patients from seven to five days, according to different comments released by the PM's office and the health ministry, according to state media reports. The ruling will take effect on Wednesday, the statement read.

 Bennett warned that the pandemic is "putting severe pressure on the economy," saying, "Israel is now confronting the highest morbidity of the Omicron wave." The Prime Minister went on to say that the reduced isolation will "allow us to continue defending public health while still keeping the economy moving." It's the second time the Israeli government has opted to shorten the quarantine period, which was already reduced from ten to seven days last week.

Earlier, Bennett announced a change in the quarantine regulations for those who are exposed to a COVID patient, after a consultation with health officials and other ministers.

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