Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a second series of strict lockdown measures in the country to combat a surge in COVID-19 infections:
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces new countrywide lockdown starting Friday amid surge in virus cases.
— Michael Tackett (@tackettdc) September 13, 2020
The plan is for this new lockdown to last for three weeks:
News coming from @AP: Israel will reinstate a strict countrywide lockdown this week amid a stubborn surge in coronavirus cases. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the announcement in a televised speech Sunday. The lockdown is expected to last at least three weeks.
— Geneviève Normand (@GeNormand) September 13, 2020
One provision says people can’t go farther than 500 meters away from their homes:
NEW: Israel will enter a 3-week lockdown starting on Friday. Israelis will have to stay within 500 meters of their homes.
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) September 13, 2020
Private sector jobs will continue but without any public reception:
The lockdown entails:
– minimal public sector workforce
– private sector as normal w/o any public reception
– all educational facilities shut
– indoor gatherings limited to 10
– outdoor gatherings limited to 20
– restrictions on movement beyond 500m.https://t.co/dM0UgevRcy— Amy Spiro (@AmySpiro) September 13, 2020
This begins on Friday:
Israel has become the first country to reimpose a strict nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of #coronavirus.
From Friday, schools, restaurants and hotels will shut – and restrictions on movement will be in place for at least three weeks.
World news: https://t.co/3kU7hCoEoj pic.twitter.com/XNdudfxQWi
— SkyNews (@SkyNews) September 13, 2020
There are some outstanding issues, however:
Things Netanyahu did not directly address:
– If incoming and/or outgoing flights will be halted
– Limitations on public transport
– If special education will continue during lockdownPlus: If anyone in the private sector can go to work then how relevant is a 500m restriction?
— Amy Spiro (@AmySpiro) September 13, 2020
Friday also the eve of the Rosh Hashana holiday:
A three-week nationwide lockdown will go into effect on Friday at 2 P.M., on the eve of Rosh Hashana holiday | Live updates https://t.co/jpnIxQByMo
— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) September 13, 2020
From Netanyahu:
Netanyahu: I know these steps demand a high price from all of us. This is not the holiday period we wanted or expected. We can’t celebrate with our families.
— Amy Spiro (@AmySpiro) September 13, 2020
Well, that’s an understatement.
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