Covid-19, Israel is the first country to organize a second national shutdown

The Israeli executive has approved a measure that will lead to a new two-week blockade to try to contain the spread of the coronavirus, which just yesterday registered 4,013 new infections in the country with a total population of about 9 million people. A note published by the coronavirus ministerial committee says the new lockdown will be implemented in three phases and will coincide with the start of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.

According to local sources, the provision on social distancing will take effect after the return of the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu from Washington, where the peace accords between Israel and the United Arab Emirates will be signed on September 15. The decision is still pending validation, which should arrive on Sunday.

Once the lockdown comes into effect, Israelis will not be allowed to leave their homes more than 500 meters. Schools will remain closed, as will all non-essential private businesses (therefore pharmacies and grocery stores must be exempt from the closure order). Prayers may only be held outdoors or in spaces deemed appropriate by health authorities. Yesterday, before the ministerial commission decided on the closure, several hospitals had indicated to the government that they had reached a guard level in the centers specialized in the treatment of the coronavirus, especially in the areas most affected by the pandemic.

In the first stage, the restrictive measures will be stricter. Local media write that the second, more “relaxed” phase of the lockdown will begin on October 1 and the third on October 15.