Thanks to the “timely decisions” and Israelis’ conduct, “we have succeeded in [our] mission up until now,” declared Netanyahu on Saturday evening.
By TPS
After weeks of a close to a complete national lockdown to stem the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Saturday night that the country would gradually emerge in stages from the limitations.
The industries, manufacturers and services can enlarge their workforce from 15% to 30%. However, this restriction will not apply to workplaces and businesses required to adhere to the “Purple Badge” safety rules.
A limited number of stores in open space areas and on the street can open. Malls, restaurants and places of entertainment will remain closed.
The education system will remain closed in the coming weeks, and classes will be held in a limited fashion online.
Outdoor sport in pairs and prayer services outdoors in groups of up to 19 people are now permitted.
Announcing the new guidelines, Netanyahu noted that “in recent weeks the State of Israel and all countries have been on an extraordinary journey, the goal of which is to ensure health and lives in the shadow of the global Corona pandemic.”
Thanks to the “timely decisions” and the Israelis conduct, “we have succeeded in this mission up until now,” he declared.
“Among the developed countries, the OECD member states, Israel is ranked very high in dealing with the coronavirus,” he added.
The per capita mortality rate in Israel is among the lowest in the OECD. The mortality rate among the sick in Israel is among the lowest in the OECD. The per capita rate of tests in Israel is among the highest in the world.
The government sees “the health leg, the leg of saving lives, and the economic leg as limbs on the same body. Therefore, at the conclusion of the consultations,” they have decided on easing the restrictions.
However, he warned that “if there is an additional outbreak of the coronavirus, we will be compelled to backtrack.”
“Until a coronavirus vaccine is found, we are in a different reality. The entire world has changed. We simply need to live in a corona routine,” he said.
“Citizens of Israel, our accomplishments measure up to every global standard, all the more so since we live in a very small and crowded country. Therefore, your achievement here is very important. Shoulder to shoulder, we will continue together in the struggle against the coronavirus. We will continue together and we will win,” he concluded.
The Ministry of Health updated Sunday night that the number of Coronavirus patients in Israel was over 13,300.
The number of patients on respirators has remained stable in recent days, a key factor in the Ministry of Health’s ability to ease the restrictions.
The death toll from the virus has risen to 171, mostly elderly people with previous ailments.
3,564 people have recovered.