Israel on Sunday set up rapid coronavirus testing stations across the country, the Magen David Adom emergency service said, as the government tries to prevent another pandemic lockdown.
“Following a request from the Ministry of Health, Magen David Adom opened 120 rapid detection stations on Sunday,” an MDA statement said.
The testing centers are mainly for non-vaccination purposes. Results are obtained in 15 minutes. Tests at the new stations will cost NIS 52 ($16) and will enable test takers to obtain a health ministry pass valid for 24 hours.
A (Hebrew) list of test sites can be found at Here. Information is also available on the MDA hotline *3101.
Starting Sunday morning, unvaccinated people over the age of 12 will have to submit a valid negative COVID-19 test to enter the places. The requirement will be extended to children under 12 from August 20.
Over the past week, Israel has been recording an average of more than 3,000 new coronavirus cases a day – the highest rate since April.
The surge in infections is a step back when its world-leading vaccine campaign reduced new COVID-19 cases from 10,000 a day to fewer than 100, and blamed the highly contagious delta variant.
A paramedic with the Magan David Adom Medical Service of Israel performs a rapid COVID-19 antigenic test in Jerusalem on August 8, 2021. (Menheim Kahn/AFP)
“Lockdown will be imposed as a last resort and we will do everything we can to avoid it,” Health Minister Nitzen Horowitz said in a statement welcoming the launch of the rapid test service.
Last December, Israel was one of the first to launch a major vaccination campaign, thanks to an agreement with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer that provides rapid access to millions of doses in exchange for biomedical data on the vaccine’s effects.
Despite a campaign to reduce the number of reported infections, contamination has risen again with the spread of the delta variant.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz, and Health Minister Nietzhan Horowitz visit a tent for COVID-19 testing for arriving passengers at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on July 12, 2021. (Flash90)
Israel has now launched a campaign to provide a third booster dose of the vaccine to the elderly and has also restored its green pass system. More than 400,000 people over the age of 60 have already received a third shot.
