Israel has decided to extend its tough travel restrictions including its entry ban on all foreign nationals till Dec 22, in a bid to stop further cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus entering the country, AP reports.

Under the current requirements, all Israelis returning from abroad must self-quarantine until they receive confirmation of a negative coronavirus PCR test result, while those arriving from high-risk countries are required to isolate at a state-governed quarantine hotel until they receive a negative PCR test result.

A statement issued by Israel's Prime Minister, Neftali Bennett, and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said additional restrictions and incentives for vaccination may be imposed in the coming days.