Israel denies South Koreans entry amid coronavirus fear

By Ali Murat Alhas

JERUSALEM (AA) - About 200 foreign nationals were denied entry to Israel following their departure from South Korea where confirmed cases of coronavirus have surged, an Israeli newspaper reported Saturday.

The plane arrived at Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv late Saturday and only 12 Israelis were permitted to disembark, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Ambulances transported Israelis home and the plane was instructed to return to South Korea once it completed its needs such as fuel and food.

The Israeli Health Ministry reported Friday its first coronavirus case in the country.

The deadly coronavirus, officially known as Covid-19, first appeared in Wuhan, China.

The death toll across the globe has reached 2,362 with the majority in China.

There are over 75,000 confirmed cases.