COVID-19 testing lab in Israel aims to be fully operational by April 9. MyHeritage recruiting 150 employees for the lab, a national project in coordination with the Health Ministry. MyHeritage will donate its profits from the venture to Israeli hospitals, CEO says.
Some 700 soldiers will join Israel Police forces in a bid to enforce restrictions aiming to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Military says only commanders and soldiers serving in Judea and Samaria will be armed.
The main points of division in unity talks between Likud and Blue and White are Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and the re-appointment of Yuli Edelstein as Knesset Speaker. Meanwhile, Yamina leader Naftali Bennett says his faction could leave the “left-wing government” PM Netanyahu is forming.
Prof. Gabi Barabash, says the number of new coronavirus cases no longer doubles every three days. The positive trend could reverse if certain populations continue to flout Health Ministry directives, he warned.
The “coronameter” still has to be approved by the cabinet and undergo an assessment of privacy issues by the attorney general, who can block it. But it could be operational within 48 hours of getting the go-ahead.
Amid ongoing coronavirus crisis, Netanyahu says Israelis will have to celebrate Passover only with nuclear family, avoid meeting friends until pandemic is under control.
Although it is unlikely that Netanyahu was infected, his advisers say he is taking the precaution until this can be ruled out.
Health Ministry director Moshe Bar Siman Tov does not expect the school year to resume. The Mossad is flying in urgently needed ventilators and masks.
Alliance of Habayit Hayehudi, the National Union and New Right parties asserts it "will not be a fig leaf for a left-wing government." MK Ayelet Shaked: 'Opposition' is not a dirty word.
Benny Gantz, Gabi Ashkenazi seeking the defense and foreign ministry portfolios, respectively, while PM Netanyahu faces tough choices about jobs for Likud ministers. Labor MK outraged that party leader Amir Peretz, MK Itzik Shmuli considering joining "indicted Netanyahu's radical Right" coalition.
