By JPost—
The curfew and other restrictions imposed on all Israelis to slow the spread of the coronavirus over the Passover holiday are supposed to be lifted Friday at 6 a.m. But at press time, as the number of Israelis infected with the novel virus hits 9,968 – 166 in serious condition – and 86 people are dead, it appears that these stricter regulations may be extended.
Ministers of a special committee chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to meet overnight at the recommendation of the Health Ministry. If approved, possibly through the end of the eight-day Festival of Freedom, intercity travel would still be prohibited except in urgent cases and when food, medicine or other essential services are not available nearby.
Public transport – except cabs – and flights will not run at least until Sunday morning. And, as has become the new normal, citizens will only be able to travel up to 100 meters from home.
Channel 12 reported that some airlines did receive special permission from the Transportation and Interior ministries to land in the country, including from places with high coronavirus counts, such as New York. Those people entered the country without being tested for coronavirus and without entering isolation, according to the news. The Health Ministry said it was unaware of the flights.
A spokesperson for the Finance Ministry assured businesses on Thursday night that restrictions imposed on them for the holiday will be removed Friday morning as scheduled.
In addition, the National Security Council said it has presented an exit strategy plan for after Passover. The plan includes increasing the percentage of workers allowed to return to the field, plus testing different models of working in shifts or on different days. Special education would resume and slowly thereafter preschools, and eventually the entire school system.
Soon, the NSC’s plan would allow for people to travel further from their homes. However, the plan does keep malls and most recreational establishments closed. Continue Reading….