A day before Israel once again enters a strict nationwide lockdown that could extend for the entire duration of the High Holidays, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked Israelis to make an extra effort to ensure that it produces the desired results by brining down the coronavirus' community spread.
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Netanyahu warned that the lockdown, which begins at 2 p.m. Friday just before Rosh Hashanah commences, may get another layer of restrictions next week, in the wake of criticism that there were too many exceptions aimed at catering to specific interest groups.
The current lockdown, approved earlier this week, is to last until early October at least. But even before it expires, Netanyahu said Thursday that stricter measures that would do away with virtually all exceptions might become "unavoidable" throughout that period. A decision would only be made in the coming days, after the Rosh Hashanah holiday.
"This lockdown is important, and it is essential; we will go through this together," Netanyahu said in a special televised address.
He added that his government would soon pass an additional stimulus package aimed at encouraging businesses to keep employees and help individuals make ends meet despite the expected loss in income, including through government-backed loans.
"I suspect all countries will ultimately have to decide whether to go into lockdown or not, and they will most likely have to do so as a last resort," Netanyahu said. "As I have said before, we will lift some of the measures when morbidity drops, and increase it when it spikes. One of the main criteria is the healthcare system and how overwhelmed it is, and that is why we are imposing the lockdown tomorrow."
Netanyahu said that the lockdown could become much more restrictive because of the data he had received Thursday. "I held a long discussion with the health minister, with the coronavirus manager, and with various experts ... and following that meeting I have come to the conclusion that under the current infection rates, as per the recommendations of many, there may not be any other option but to add more restrictions. My job, as prime minister, is not just to take care of people's health, but to take care of those who are sick."
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