Instead of localised lockdowns, Israel will impose curfews in 40 red zones where coronavirus is spreading fast, with daily infections reaching an all-time record.
As of Monday, residents of the designated areas won’t be able to leave home from 7pm-5am.
Gatherings of more than 10 people in closed spaces and of more than 20 in open spaces will be prohibited, and schools will be closed.
“I know these restrictions are not easy but in the existing situation, we have no choice,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.
Most red locations are Arab and ultra-Orthodox towns or neighbourhoods. The u-turn from localised closures announced by Netanyahu on Thursday came after massive pressure from furious mayors.
They said in a letter they felt “humiliated” by him and vowed, “We will not co-operate” with lockdowns in singled-out communities.
Government-appointed coronavirus czar, Ronni Gamzu, said on Sunday he had come under “artillery fire” over his traffic light plan, which distinguishes between green, yellow and red cities – with likely closures in the worst-hit red zones.
Arabs make up 20 per cent of Israel’s 9.2 million citizens and the ultra-Orthodox account for 22 per cent.
Large weddings and other mass gatherings in violation of health ministry restrictions documented in both sectors have reportedly played key roles in spreading the virus.
Read the article by Ofira Koopmans in The Canberra Times.