As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Israel continues to rise, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein convened a special press conference Monday evening to announce a series of new restrictions in an attempt to "flatten the curve."
In addition to the immediate shuttering of bars, night clubs, gyms, event venues, and cultural events, the number of diners in restaurants will be limited to 20 indoors and 30 outdoors. Hotels are under orders to close their bars, pools, and limit the number of guests using the dining hall at any one time.
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Attendance at synagogues was capped at 19 worshippers.
Government and public services will be staffed at 30% capacity. Organized summer activities will be capped at groups of up to 20 children. Professional sports will take place without live crowds.
The Transportation Ministry announced that buses would continue to operate as usual, despite proposals to restrict passenger loads to 20 and a suggestion that buses not operate air-conditioning.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev said late Monday that she had met with public transportation operators and she intended to decide on a framework for the operation of buses that would meet public health regulations. Regev said that the voucher system for Israel Railways, which requires travelers to order tickets ahead of time, had "proven itself" and would remain in place.
Earlier Monday, Edelstein told the cabinet that "If we don't act on the Health Ministry's proposal today, next week we will have to decide on a full shutdown."
"Every single aspect of the decision affects the lives of many citizens – their income, their leisure time, and their lifestyles. This cannot be dismissed. Indeed, an integral part of the cabinet's decision is to provide aid to businesses that will be hurt, and I'm happy that the prime minister has instructed the finance minister to present a plan within 48 hours," Edelstein said at the press conference.
"The equation is simple: if the number of cases drops, the economy is strengthened; if the number goes up, it will cause major damage to the economy. To save lives, and save the economy, we must flatten the curve," the minister said.
"The tough steps the government has taken today give us hope that in a week or two, we won't need to declare a long-term full shutdown. No one wants that," he added.
Edelstein said that the battle against coronavirus was "complicated" and that the virus's behavior could not always be anticipated. He called corona "a slippery enemy."
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Edelstein went on to say he had appointed a director of the war on corona in the Health Ministry, who would be charged with overseeing the big picture, from the nation's testing to cutting off outbreaks.
Edelstein also apologized to members of the public who had not been able to have their needs met by the authorities. He announced that the Health Ministry's hotlines were being assigned additional staff to handle calls from citizens quarantined as a result of Shin Bet security agency phone tracking.
Soldiers from the IDF Homefront Command would also be stepping in to help staff the hotlines, the minister said.
