The coronavirus cabinet was expected to meet late on Sunday about new plans to contain the spread of the virus, as cases continued to rise.
Some of the measures discussed in the meeting were expected to be implemented: expanding sewage sampling, increasing daily coronavirus testing, requiring an additional test for people returning from abroad, requiring testing for children or elders. Want to enter meetings and ask. People wearing masks during mass gatherings – even in the open air.
The country, like the rest of the world, is dealing with the delta variant – a coronavirus mutation that is at least 50% more contagious than its British predecessor.
Although active cases in Israel have dropped from 200 to nearly 1,200 over the past few days, the number of serious cases has remained stable and declined slightly on Sunday. 114 new cases were diagnosed on Saturday, but only another 63 between midnight and press time on Sunday.
The number of serious cases stood at 23, up from 26 a day earlier.
Israel currently has only one red city, two orange and five yellow.
“Our approach is simple,” Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said at a cabinet meeting on Sunday morning. “Maximum protection for the citizens of Israel, minimal disruption to routine and for the economy in Israel. Masks instead of restrictions. Vaccinations instead of lockdowns.”
cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: ’36af7c51-0caf-4741-9824-2c941fc6c17b’ }).render(‘4c4d856e0e6f4e3d808bbc1715e132f6’); });
if(window.location.pathname.indexOf(“656089”) != -1){console.log(“hedva connatix”);document.getElementsByClassName(“divConnatix”)[0].style.display = “none”;}
Bennett and Health Minister Nitzen Horowitz did not want to impose any new sweeping sanctions on the country that would harm its economy. Rather, they wanted to persuade 12 to 15-year-olds to take the jab, as well as adults who had not yet been vaccinated.
He also called on young children to encourage their parents to sign up for vaccinations.
“I especially appeal to young people,” Bennett said. “I know how much you want to relax this summer and you can do that. I have four kids this age; we don’t want to impose any restrictions – no parties, no travel, nothing. However, It’s precisely because of this, if you don’t want you to be banned, go and get vaccinated today. Talk to your parents and get vaccinated.”
According to the Health Fund, around 30% of adolescents aged 12 to 16 years have been vaccinated and the country could reach 50% of this age group in the coming days.
The airport has been a problem for Israel in its fight against the virus.
On Sunday, the government took several more steps to crack down on the complex, including approving the health ministry’s recommendation that all Israeli passengers over the age of 16 be allowed to leave Ben-Gurion airport before a declaration form. Must be filled that they are not traveling. “Prohibited” country with high infection.
Airlines will be instructed not to allow passengers to board the aircraft without this declaration.
The government also extended the rules relating to travel to restricted countries till July 11, saying that visiting one of these countries without special permission would be considered criminal and punishable with a NIS 5,000 fine.
The current list of banned countries includes Argentina, Brazil, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa. Persons returning from these countries are required to enter isolation even after vaccination.
The Ministry of Health continues to recommend the avoidance of all unnecessary travel abroad, especially to countries under travel warnings.
On Sunday, two countries were added to the list, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan, while the Maldives and Nepal were dropped from the group, which now includes Belarus, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Namibia, Paraguay, Seychelles, Tunisia. Huh. Uganda, United Arab Emirates and Uruguay.
In addition, parents who prevent their minors from being screened for coronavirus upon arrival at the airport will be fined NIS 3,500.
“For a year and a half, there’s been a big national weak point, and that’s Ben-Gurion Airport,” Bennett said at the start of the government meeting. “Therefore, in coordination with the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Health and the Minister of the Interior, we decided to appoint a special director to handle the infection and prevent the entry of this virus and future variants and viruses into Israel from around the world.”
Numa has already worked in the ultra-Orthodox region and in Bani Brak to coordinate efforts to defeat the pandemic.
Finally, the ministers approved the issuance of a tender to set up an additional COVID-19 testing complex at the airport.
On Sunday, Health Ministry Director-General Chezzi Levy also announced his resignation in a letter sent to Horowitz, who thanked him for “serving the country during one of the most challenging periods known to Israel’s health system.” “
Levy began his position last June. He will return to his previous role as Director General of the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon.
The Health Ministry said in a statement that the appointment of the new Director General would be announced soon.