Masks come off in Israel as the country vaunts covid-19 victory
Agencies
April 19, 2021
Tel Aviv, Apr 19: Israelis stepped into the streets without masks on Sunday for the first time in a year, a key milestone as the country vaccinates its way out of a coronavirus nightmare. It s very strange but it s very nice, said Eliana Gamulka, 26, after getting off a bus near the busy Jerusalem shopping boulevard of Jaffa Street and removing her face covering. You can t pretend that you don t know anyone any more, she smiled.
With over half the population fully vaccinated in one of the world s fastest anti-Covid 19 inoculation campaigns, the health ministry announced on Thursday that masks would no longer be required in public outdoor spaces.
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Apr. 19, 2021 5:50 PM
Israel has purchased nine million additional doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine that will arrive in 2022, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein announced Monday.
The additional doses are meant to ensure that Israel will be able to provide booster shots in order to extend protection from the coronavirus through 2022.
In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had been holding conversations with the CEOs of Pfizer and Moderna and that he hopes to soon reach a deal with Moderna. The meaning of this is that very soon we will have more than enough vaccines, for both adults and children, Netanyahu said. Israel will again be at the forefront of the global fight against the coronavirus. There will be no more lockdowns.
Israel, Pfizer ink deal for millions of coronavirus vaccine doses through 2022
Netanyahu and Edelstein hail agreement that has been held up for several weeks over political infighting; sources close to the prime minister say deal does not require government approval
Itamar Eichner |
Published: 04.19.21 , 18:40
Israel inked on Monday a deal with Pfizer Inc. for the purchase of millions of coronavirus vaccine doses for 2022.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein announced the deal will also include an option to buy millions of additional shots if needed. It was also stated that any future vaccine shipments will be tailored to fend off new variants of COVID-19.
Israel Carefully Opens Its Gates to Int’l Visitors Daniel Sonnenfeld 04/19/2021
Foreigners with first-degree Israeli relatives can already apply to enter, tour groups will be able to arrive starting May 23, but limited opening is criticized
Almost 5 million Israelis, more than 50% of the country’s entire population, have been vaccinated, and life in the small country is rapidly returning to normal. Stores are open, the streets are bustling, and since the beginning of the week, masks in open areas are off and the education system is fully in business. Israel’s gates have also unlocked and are expected to open gradually over the following months. While a combined ministerial effort is looking to accept Israel’s first foreign tourists on May 23, the strict limitations imposed on this opening may make it irrelevant to the ailing tourism industry.
With most of its people vaccinated, Israel lifts mask requirements outdoors thehill.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thehill.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.