Despite the government's effort to return Israeli life to normal amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it appears that a full-fledged resolution to the crisis and a complete end to the strict lockdown is still far off.
A Health Ministry memo released on Thursday predicts that "the coronavirus will stay with us for at least a year, and even longer than that."
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In the memo, officials proposed a path forward that would commence with letting 30% of the workforce resume its activity as early as next week, as long as workers are separated into shifts. During that phase, Israelis over 65 who have pre-existing medical conditions – and thus considered to be at risk – would have to stay at home, as would all Israelis 70 and up.
But the officials warned in the memo that the first phase of the plan must not be executed unless Israeli hospitals receive 5,000 more beds, including 2,500 for intensive care units, and only if the labs that test for the virus get a boost in funding and staff.
Two weeks after the first phase of the plan is implemented, some 50% of the workforce will be allowed back, but only in shifts.
Two weeks later, shops will be allowed to open, as long as authorities have a proper way of monitoring shoppers.
Barbershops and beauty salons will only resume operations if they can guarantee that only one customer is present at their premises at any given time.
A complete return to normalcy would likely take place only in the spring of 2021, the memo states.
The memo warns that if there is an uncontrollable spike in coronavirus cases that results in hospitals being overwhelmed by people with symptoms of COVID-19 (the respiratory illness caused by the virus), the strict lockdown measures would have to be reimposed.
