Israel has announced a significant tightening of restrictions during its second general lockdown, as the number of new coronavirus cases continues to rise, including stricter restrictions on protest and prayer groups and widespread closure of workplaces.
The new rules come hours after discussions in Israel’s coronavirus cabinet in recent days, during which senior legislators struggled to present a unified front to agree on a master plan to fight the epidemic.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of the cabinet meeting that “in order to save the lives of Israeli citizens, we must now order a complete ban on us for two weeks – from this Friday until the end of the Simchat Torah,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of the cabinet meeting. Mention the conclusion of the current holiday period.
“Then, we will have an extra two weeks off, I hope with fewer restrictions, but… this depends on the infection rates. The goal is to reduce the infection rate, and … to save the lives of many Israelis. Netanyahu said.
Opposing the announcement, Itamar Gertto, deputy director general of the health ministry, told Israeli radio that there was no need to impose large closures on workplaces to reduce infection rates. But Groto, who attended the cabinet meeting, said it was the government’s decision.
Strict restrictions include: The general closure of businesses and workplaces, except what is considered essential and essential services such as food stores and pharmacies, which will remain open. Open air markets will be closed.
Prayers and protests will be allowed only 1 km (0.6 miles) indoors and outdoors with a limit of 20 people. However, Yom Kippur will be allowed to open the synagogue with some restrictions on his upcoming one-day holiday, raising concerns that the infection could escalate if worshipers do not follow the rules.
Public transport will operate on a limited basis. It has not yet been decided whether Ben Gurion International Airport will close outside Tel Aviv.
The new sanctions still require Knesset approval, which is expected later Thursday.
New cases: According to the Ministry of Health, 80,088 cases of the new coronavirus have been reported in Israel since the day before, with a daily high of 86,161 cases reported on Wednesday. A total of 1,335 people have died as a result of coronavirus in Israel.
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