A planned trip to Israel has left Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein living in Dubai for the last months, the Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday. Bernstein told the publication he was quarantined in the country for two weeks while en route to Israel in January, but Israel closed its borders and he chose to stay rather than return to Michigan. Since the state's highest court has been meeting virtually amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the 46-year-old has still been able to connect with the court, was vaccinated and has lectured on disability rights, the Post reported. “I had already started becoming close with so many incredible people here and so I decided to stay back,” Bernstein told the publication. “As a blind person it is very challenging to travel and do things on your own. But the beauty of this country is that you are never alone. So many people have helped me around here that I know this area like the back of my hand.”