Edelstein warns it s not time for parties despite encouraging virus data
Health minister tells Ynet that further easing of restrictions will be discussed next week, urges fully vaccinated members of public to adhere to guidelines; adds the government isn t mulling transferring vaccines to Palestinians
Adir Yanko, Attila Somfalvi , Alexandra Lukash |
Published: 03.11.21 , 15:40
As lives of Israelis appear to be getting back to normal, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein on Thursday warned that although recent coronavirus data has been encouraging, it is still not the time for parties.
Israel this week began the third phase of its lockdown exit, lifting a host of major restrictions, including some in place since September such as indoor dining, event halls and concerts. The restrictions are lifted for Green Pass holders who have received both vaccine shots or people who have recovered from COVID-19.
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Ilan Ben Zion, a reporter at the Associated Press, is a former news editor at The Times of Israel. He holds a Masters degree in Diplomacy from Tel Aviv University and an Honors Bachelors degree from the University of Toronto in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, Jewish Studies, and English.
Visitors tour the Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv on March 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
AP From Queen Salome to the late RBG, from Moses to Sandy Koufax, Tel Aviv’s newly revamped Museum of the Jewish People attempts the ambitious undertaking of bringing almost 3,000 years of Jewish history and tradition under a single roof.
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Boxes containing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are prepared to be shipped at the McKesson distribution center in Olive Branch, Mississippi, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, Pool)
Israel is renewing a plan to supply surplus coronavirus vaccines to a group of friendly nations, the Kan public broadcaster reported on Monday.
The report came two weeks after the effort was halted by legal officials, who said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not have the authority to authorize the moves without consulting with the cabinet.
Israel is now negotiating with 20 countries and Moderna to send up to 100,000 vaccine doses abroad, according to criteria laid out by the attorney general, the report said, noting that there was some urgency to the move as the doses were due to expire by the end of May.
Mar. 9, 2021 This story is no longer being updated. Click here for the latest COVID-19 updates from Israel
Two months into its mass coronavirus vaccination campaign, Israel sees a drop in COVID infections and in the number of severe cases. Israel exited its third nationwide lockdown, but some restrictions remains on inbound and outbound flights. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, 5,922 Israelis have died of the virus.
Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have received 30,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, and 2,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine donated by Israel. It may take a while still for a mass vaccination campaign to get under way in the Palestinian territories. A total of 1,827 people have died of COVID in the West Bank, while 560 have died in Gaza.