JERUSALEM (ISRAEL) – Israel sets a new weekend shutdown on Friday, with a series of coronavirus curbs to bring down the infection rates. The public has been showing resentment over how the crisis was being handled by the government.
The government said in a statement that people would be allowed to leave their homes this weekend, however, malls, shops, pools, zoos and museums would be shut down from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning.
A complete lockdown that could confine people to their homes may be imposed by July 24, after parliament gives approval to the government for the same, Israel Radio reported.
Gatherings will be limited to 10 people indoors and 20 outdoors, while restaurants would be allowed take-outs only, the government said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Benny Gantz would take a further decision on whether to keep summer schools and nurseries open.
Israel reopened schools and many businesses in May, lifting restrictions that had flattened an infection curve after a partial lockdown imposed in March.
Unemployment spiked after the lockdown in March, taking it to 21%. Netanyahu has announced numerous aid packages, for which criticism has been levelled at him, as some of them have been slow to come through and others have been said as not being effective.
Israel, with a population of 9 million, has reported more than 44,000 coronavirus cases and 377 deaths.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.