Israel extends the general lockdown until Sunday, then gradually eases restrictions

The Israeli government announced in a statement that it has extended the third general isolation in the country to combat the Corona epidemic until next Sunday, and after that it will gradually ease restrictions.

The government statement stated that, starting at seven o’clock Sunday morning, restrictions on movement within and between cities will be lifted, workplaces that do not receive clients will be reopened, and open nature reserves and parks will be allowed.

The decision was issued today, Friday, hours before the end of the general isolation period, following disagreements between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition partner, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, over the term of the dismissal, its effectiveness, and the irregularity of its application.

The government imposed the third general isolation on December 27, shortly after Israel launched the fastest vaccination campaign in the world to prevent the virus. The two measures contributed to somewhat reducing the number of virus deaths and severe infections, at a time when mutated strains of the highly contagious virus spread.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Israel has recorded a total of 675,618 COVID-19 cases and 5,001 deaths, according to Health Ministry data.

Source: “Reuters”

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