A second case of the Omicron COVID-19 variant has been confirmed in Israel, local media reported on Sunday.

The announcement comes two days after the first case was confirmed prompting the Israeli government to implement tough measures to contain the importation of the new and potentially more contagious coronavirus variant including banning the entry of all foreigners into the country.

Israelis entering the country, including those who are vaccinated, will be required to quarantine and the Shin Bet counter-terrorism agency's phone-tracking technology will be used to track carriers of the new variant.

The cabinet approved the use of the controversial technology insisting it would not be done "for a widespread use, as done in previous coronavirus waves."

Earlier on Sunday, the Malawian government said it was liaising with Israel regarding media reports of a traveler from the southern Africa nation to the Middle East nation who had tested positive for the variant.

The health minister Charles Mwansambo said it was to confirm the incident and facilitate contact tracing to contain any spread of the virus.

By then, Israel had confirmed one case of Omicron, with seven suspected cases.

Israel has recorded 1.3 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 8,000 fatalities since the pandemic began.

(With input from agencies)