- Israel is offering benefits to its fully vaccinated citizens to try to incentivize inoculation.
- From Sunday, those who can show a certificate of vaccination will be allowed to go to gyms, sports events, cultural events.
- Officials have been explicit that people who avoid vaccines will be “left behind.”
Israel has been praised around the world for its rapid rollout of coronavirus vaccines, outstripping all other nations.
But, as the campaign bumped up against parts of the population who didn’t want a shot when it was their turn, officials turned harsher.
The nation is rolling out a two-tier system for its reopening, with incentives and freedoms for those who get a jab, and ostracism for those who don’t.
As of this week, Israel goals is to vaccinate its entire eligible population by the end of March.
More than 4 million people over the age of 16, which is two thirds of all who are eligible, have received at least one dose of the vaccine, Israel’s health ministry said on February 16.
But vaccination rates dropped in the middle of February, prompting a harder policy.
From Sunday, as part of the government’s plan to exit its third lockdown, hotels, gym, shops, sporting events and cultural venues will open. But only for those who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19.
Read the article by Marianne Guenot in Business Insider Australia.