Israel announced on Friday new radical restrictions in reaction to a new outbreak of coronavirus cases, the closure of many businesses over the weekend and the restriction of takeaway and delivery restaurants.
The government announced the restrictions after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said provisional measures were needed for some other general closure. Netanyahu has been the subject of many complaints and protests in recent days over his governance of the pandemic and the economic consequences of a previous blockade.
Gyms and training studios will be closed for the use of competitive athletes.
Restaurants will no longer be allowed to have on-site seating and beaches will be closed on weekends from the end of the month.
Stores, malls, barber shops, beauty salons and tourist sites will also be closed on weekends. Public gatherings will be limited to 10 people indoors or 20 outside. The Cabinet approved the new measures pending approval by the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, but said they would take effect Friday evening with violation considered a criminal offense.
By the end of May, Israel had contained its outbreak largely after a two-month closure.
But it soared in the weeks after the lifting of restrictions, with Israel reporting about 1,900 new ones on Thursday alone.
At least 384 other people have died since the beginning of the epidemic, out of a total of more than 45,000 cases.
The virus causes mild to moderate flu-like symptoms in maximum patients, which heal within a few weeks.
But this can cause serious illness or death, especially in elderly patients or those with weakened immune systems. It is highly contagious and can be transmitted through other people without symptoms.
Cases are also spreading in Iran, which has experienced the worst epidemic in the region, with only 270,000 cases shown and at least 13,791 deaths. This includes 2,379 new instances and 183 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the Department of Health.
Ministry of Health spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said more than 3,500 patients are in serious condition, while more than 230,000 have recovered.
Iran’s official IRNA news firm reported that the UAE flagship airline had resumed flights to Tehran after postponing them in reaction to the pandemic. Emirates’ first flight in about five months landed in Tehran on Friday.
The carrier suspended service in February after two Iranian passengers were positive.
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