The government will convene this week to discuss a further ease on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) related restrictions, as the number of patients in Israel is on a constant sharp decline.
After partially opening the school system, easing restrictions on movement in public areas and opening open-air stores, the government will now decide on the possible opening of malls, parks and beaches.
The possibility of opening nature reserves and parks also is being considered. The number of visitors can be tracked by a phone application.
Later this month, the number of participants at weddings will be increased to 50 people from the current 20, but only in open spaces.
Only 294 Corona patients are hospitalized in all Israel’s hospitals while some 6,000 others in light condition remain at home or in the designated Corona hotels.
The number of patients in Israel decreases at a rate of about 1,000 every three days, and only 23 new patients were recorded in the past day.
Over 9,749 have recovered.
The doubling rate of patients, which stood at three days a month ago, now stands at seven months.
Minister of Public Security Gilad Arden stated Monday that “considering the positive data, the economy must be opened quickly,” including malls, markets and gyms.
“We must now do everything possible to save the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of business owners who need certainty and stability,” he added.
Some 1,00,000 were left unemployed in the weeks following the outbreak of the pandemic.
Erdan said the government must establish a national oversight unit to ensure compliance with the “Purple Badge” rules in all types of businesses and institutions.
The “Purple Badge” rules dictate safe and healthy work conditions.
In other developments, Israeli singers performed on Sunday night and raised over $325,000 to purchase personal protective equipment and food to healthcare workers on the front lines battling the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the US, as part of the Israeli-American Council’s (IAC) star-studded virtual concert fundraiser.
The event, hosted by Israeli actress Shani Atias, featured songs by Israeli stars including Idan Raichel, David Broza, Rotem Cohen, Shlomi Shabat, and Keren Peles, all of whom performed from their homes.
The event kicked off with a live-portrait painting of photographer Ziv Koren by artist Tomer Peretz, which will be donated to a New York-based hospital.
All of the proceeds from the benefit show will go directly towards supporting US healthcare workers.
“The IAC is grateful to these Israeli artists and more than 400 volunteers of the IAC Care nationwide community who have demonstrated a great showing of solidarity in this time of crisis,” said Shoham Nicolet, CEO and co-founder of the Israeli-American Council.
“Beyond the direct support to our heroes – the medical teams – tonight also demonstrated the strong bond between the people of Israel and the United States and the role of our community as a living bridge between the two. I’m humbled and inspired by the generosity and spirit of all the volunteers and supporters who made this effort possible.”
Since the onset of the pandemic, the IAC Care initiative has recruited volunteers to deliver supplies like face shields, medical and N95 masks, and hygiene kits, in addition to warm meals, to hospitals across the organization’s 20 regions. For example, an IAC volunteer in Boston created his own 3D-printed ear guards designed to alleviate pain caused by wearing a surgical mask for extended periods of time. (TPS)
