Special Coverage

Another 14 people were diagnosed on Sunday, bringing the total number of infected Israelis to 39, the Health Ministry announces.

“This is not an easy decision, but public health must come first," PM Netanyahu says, adding that "public compliance is impressive. It saves lives."

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz is said to have agreed to a list of conditions Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman posts on Facebook over the weekend. Blue and White also pushing to replace Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein with MK Meir Cohen.

In Iran, meanwhile, the tally of confirmed infections increases by more than 1,000 during the last 24 hours, totaling 5,823 by Saturday. In Italy, nearly one-quarter of the population is quarantined.

"It is doubtful whether there has been a similar pandemic in the last 100 years. It seems that the rate of infection is greater than we figured," PM Benjamin Netanyahu says after eight more Israelis contract the virus over the weekend. El Al airline expects an even bigger decline in revenue for the start of the year than previously thought.

Blue and White No. 3, former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, goes against his Telem colleagues Yoaz Hendel and Zvi Hauser and backs the idea of working with 12 out of the 15 Joint Arab List MKs to secure 62 seats and a government under Gantz. Blue and White declines to comment.

The announcement by the Palestinian Authority's tourism ministry threatens to devastate the vital tourism industry in Bethlehem, the town where Jesus is believed to have been born. Israeli officials say they were working closely with their Palestinian counterparts to contain the virus.

Left-wing bloc claims there is an "anti-Netanyahu majority in the Knesset" that can spearhead a reversal. Yisrael Beytenu leader's position contrasts with statements he made as recently as last November, in which he called attempts to pass the bill a "vendetta."

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz: In a democracy, the will of the voters must be honored. Meanwhile, the Knesset management is taking steps to ensure that coronavirus will not pose a threat to parliamentary work in the 23rd Knesset.

Meanwhile, the country's top financial regulators discuss the economic implications of the global outbreak without announcing any immediate decisions. Any further health restrictions will take the "strong and stable" economy into account, they say.