Israel again imposed radical restrictions on daily life on Friday in response to an increase in coronavirus cases and amid mounting public anger at the government’s handling of the crisis.
The government said that starting at 5 pm local time on Friday (10 am ET), gyms and exercise studios will be closed to the public and restaurants will be closed for eating indoors. However, competitive athletes may continue to train indoors.
Stricter restrictions will also be introduced, including closing shops, beauty salons, museums and tourist attractions on weekends. Starting this month, the beaches will also be closed to the public on weekends, the government said.
“We are doing everything possible to avoid a general blockade,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting on Thursday night during which the new restrictions were discussed. “The disease is changing speed and we must change along with it.”
In late May, Israel had largely contained its outbreak, after a strict closure in the spring that even limited the number of feet residents could leave their homes. But cases have skyrocketed in the weeks since the restrictions were lifted, with Israel reporting more than 1,800 new cases Thursday alone.
Some 387 people have died since the start of the outbreak.
It is unclear what restrictions will be imposed on schools when they return in September. Some have blamed its reopening along with other venues earlier this summer for the new wave of cases.
The new restrictions, which will not apply to essential stores like pharmacies and food stores, come amid mounting public anger against Netanyahu and the government for its handling of the coronavirus crisis and the country’s economic recovery.
In recent days, demonstrations were held in front of the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem with around 200 protesters who attended on Thursday night. Demonstrations are also planned in Jerusalem on Friday and in Tel Aviv on Saturday.
According to the new restrictions, a maximum of 10 people will be able to meet inside and a maximum of 20 outside. Violation of any of the new measures will be a criminal offense, according to the government.
The latest restrictions follow an attempt by the Netanyahu government this week to support the economy by offering financial support to Israelis in hopes that it will fuel consumption.
Netanyahu on Wednesday said the government will transfer money to all Israeli citizens.
Parents, he said, will receive between 2,000 (about $ 580) and 3,000 shekels (about $ 870) depending on the number of children they have, while childless Israelis will receive 750 shekels per person (about $ 218).
Paul Goldman reported from Tel Aviv and Saphora Smith from London.
