Some 5,000 electronic bracelets are going to be available to be handed out to returnees from abroad already next week, Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kisch told the Knesset Constitution and Law Committee on Thursday.
The committee met to discuss the bill to allow the use of electronic tools to enforce the mandatory quarantine on those who enter the country.
“From an operative perspective, we are preparing for a very quick purchase, while the purchase for the full supply will take three months,” Kisch explained. “We have been looking for companies that could provide an immediate answer. The offers will be presented tomorrow and it is of great importance to pass the legislation quickly so that companies can get into the process.”
“Next week we can already consider 5,000 bracelets, and an additional 5,000 every week thereafter,” he added, pointing out that the goal is to reach some 30,000 bracelets available so that the same number of people could use them for ten days and then return them.
Those who will not agree to use the bracelet will be able to quarantine in a hotel.
Kisch also said that they will only accept solutions suitable for those who keep Shabbat.
A pilot program for the use of electronic bracelets already took place in recent weeks. The devices were supplied by Israeli company SuperCom.
The bracelet cannot monitor any details about the person wearing it, except for whether they are complying with their quarantine, SuperCom president and CEO Ordan Trabelsi said ahead of the pilot program's launch.
Should the quarantine be violated, the bracelets won't track the wearer's location once they leave home but will only alert authorities that the person has left the confined area where they were supposed to remain throughout the duration of their quarantine.
According to SuperCom, the bracelets were in high demand, with over 91% of travelers arriving at the airport opting for the program. Reception from the program was positive, and was accompanied by a high satisfaction rate.