Israel's COVID-19 death toll crossed 2,500 on Thursday and on Friday morning stood at 2,511.
On Thursday, 36,318 coronavirus tests identified 630 new cases, a positive percentage of 1.8%, the Health Ministry reported Friday morning.
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As of Friday morning, there were 11,254 active of symptomatic patients in Israel, with 738 hospitalized, 410 of whom were listed in serious condition. Of those 410, 190 were on ventilators.
Meanwhile, the Corona cabinet decided on Thursday night to allow independent shops to open for business starting Nov. 8, after the Health Ministry opposed reopening businesses starting Sunday, Nov. 1.
The cabinet also decided that synagogues would be allowed to reopen on Saturday, but would be restricted to 10 worshippers inside and 20 outside.
Rural B&B accommodations will also be allowed to return to business starting Sunday, but serve only nuclear families. Shared pools and dining rooms at the facilities must remain closed.
Hair salons, beauty salons, and alternative health treatments will also be permitted starting Sunday.
The meeting was fraught. Finance Minister Israel Katz accused the Health Ministry of "waging a war of prestige on the backs of small businesses."
Economy Minister Amir Peretz also demanded that independent shops be allowed to reopen, saying, "At [supermarket chain] Rami Levy it's a lot more crowded than in small shops."
The decisions were in principle only, and the Health Ministry must still present revised regulations for cabinet approval, which was slated to take place Friday, with the regulations taking effect on Sunday, Nov. 1.
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