Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called an emergency meeting of the so-called "corona cabinet" for Thursday afternoon to discuss the rapidly surging number of coronavirus cases, as well as imposing new restrictions on the public in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.
The Health Ministry reported Thursday that over 1,900 new coronavirus infections were recorded over the past 24 hours, pushing the country dangerously close to the 2,000 daily-case benchmark that Health Minister Yuli Edelstein has set as a trigger for a nationwide lockdown.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
Israel has so far recorded 44,714 COVID-19 cases. The ministry said that as of Thursday morning, there were 24,234 active patients, including 204 in a serious condition of whom 57 were on ventilators. Some 380 people have died from the virus, while 20,100 have recovered from it.
Tens of thousands of Israelis are currently under self-isolation after having been exposed to a confirmed corona patient.
Health officials have warned that lax public discipline with respect to observing social distancing directives is the main reason why the virus is racing across the country, and have urged the Israel Police to enforce the Health Ministry's orders, especially with respect to public gatherings and the wearing of face masks in public, more strictly.
The corona cabinet is expected to debate a host of measures seeking to both "flatten the curve" of infections, as well as the possibility of again imposing a nationwide lockdown.
According to Channel 12 News, potential measures include barring gatherings of over 10 people, shuttering summer camps, schools, colleges, beaches, and houses of worship, as well as limiting restaurants to takeout and delivery services, closing down pools and gyms, and limiting public transportation.
Other measures reportedly on the table include weeknight and weekend curfews.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
