Israel said that citizens, residents and foreign workers returning from 20 countries would be exempted from a 14-day coronavirus quarantine period, but kept its borders closed to tourists, AFP reports.

The health ministry's list of “green” countries deemed to present a lower novel coronavirus risk includes the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Greece and Cyprus, as well as Canada, New Zealand, Rwanda, Jordan and Hong Kong.

The measure only applies to Israeli citizens and foreigners with residency status or work visas, as the country's borders have yet to be reopened for regular tourism.