Israel to scrap outdoor mask mandate from Sunday france24.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from france24.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Israel to scrap outdoor mask-wearing from Sunday
Nearly one year since the onset of the pandemic in Israel, Edelstein confirms the move, which he said was made following a recommendation from health professionals, but emphasizes masks must still be worn in confined spaces
Adir Yanko |
Published: 04.15.21 , 20:54
Israel officially ended outdoor mask-wearing with the move set to take effect on Sunday, health officials said.
Almost one year since the onset of the pandemic in the country, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein on Thursday evening instructed Hezi Levi - the director general of his ministry - to sign the order lifting the outdoor mask mandate.
He credited Israel’s successful vaccination campaign but called for ongoing vigilance inside.
Health professionals had for weeks been saying the mask mandate outside would likely end soon, but actually reaching the milestone will doubtless be a moving moment for many Israelis, who over the past year have become accustomed to seeing little more than each others’ eyes while out on the streets.
Jerusalemites wearing face masks walk in the city center on February 07, 2021, as Israel exits a 3rd lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
Earlier this month, Levy was still skeptical and cautioned against lifting the mandate, arguing the use of masks outdoors was effective in curbing the spread of COVID-19.
JERUSALEM Israelis will no longer have to wear masks outdoors starting from Sunday as the number of virus infections plummets, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said. The rate of infection in Israel is very low thanks to the successful vaccine campaign in Israel, and therefore it is possible to ease (restrictions), Edelstein said in a statement Thursday. He said however that masks will still be required indoors. With close to five million people more than half the population of 9.3 million vaccinated, Israel continues its world-beating campaign that sent coronavirus infection rates down. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu obtained millions of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines in part by agreeing to share with Pfizer medical data on the product s impact.
Israel to scrap outdoor mask mandate from Sunday yahoo.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from yahoo.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.