Virus cabinet scraps special permits for returning Israelis ynetnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ynetnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The decision to supply excess vaccines comes amid controversy over Israel’s vaccine distribution.
On Thursday, Defense Minister Benny Gantz called for a halt in the shipments, saying Israel’s stockpile of vaccines is the property of the state. He attacked the prime minister’s go-it-alone approach and questioned Netanyahu’s claims that there are really excess supplies when Israelis still have not been fully vaccinated.
Israel’s Justice Ministry put a freeze on a plan that reportedly would have seen up to 100,000 vaccine doses sent to numerous countries.
In a statement, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said he had received a number of requests to review Netanyahu’s decision. One of those requests, he said, came from Netanyahu’s National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, who told Mandelblit he had been instructed, apparently by the prime minister, to “freeze any action on the matter.”
Israelis shop at the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv, on March 1, 2021. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
The Health Ministry was pushing to delay a further rollback of coronavirus restrictions planned for next week, as ministers convened Monday to discuss reopening grades 7-10 in some areas and removing entry restrictions at Ben Gurion Airport.
The ministry’s position, which officials were set to present during the cabinet meeting, was due to concerns over the rise in the transmission rate, according to the Haaretz daily. The figure, which represents the number of new COVID-19 cases from each infection, reached 1 in the morning, with any number above that meaning the spread of the virus is accelerating.
Ministers approve reopening of event halls, restaurants starting next week
Eateries will be able to all serve patrons outdoors, Green Pass holders indoors; grade 7–10 students to return to in-person schooling; hotels to resume full operations, including dining areas
Ynet |
Published: 03.01.21 , 22:09
The government on Monday voted to open event halls and restaurants starting next week as Israel continued reopening its economy.
According to the outline, cafes and restaurants will be able to serve patrons outdoors. Green Pass holders - those who had received both vaccine doses or recovered from COVID-19 - will be able to dine indoors as well, enter event halls, conferences and tourist attractions.
People walk on Jaffa Street, in downtown Jerusalem on March 1, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Despite a slight rise in coronavirus infections, ministers on Monday backed sticking to the plan to gradually reopen Israel’s economy, which will see restaurants and hotels open their doors to the vaccinated next week, and reportedly moved to reopen Ben Gurion Airport to Israeli travelers.
The next stage of the government’s reopening plan, scheduled for around March 7, includes allowing students in grades 7-10 to return to school in low-infection areas, reopening restaurants and cafes, permitting hotels and event venues to open in accordance with Health Ministry guidelines, and easing limitations on gatherings.