The government convened on Thursday to decide whether to impose new coronavirus restrictions over the Hanukkah holiday. During the meeting, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said the operation to vaccinate Israel's citizens would kick off on Dec. 27.
Ministers were set to discuss a proposal that would forbid Israelis from staying at other people's homes from 5:30 p.m. until midnight starting Thursday evening, the first night of Hanukkah. Violating the ban would constitute a criminal offense and would incur a 500 shekel ($154) fine, according to the proposal, which would make an exemption for, among other things, those providing or receiving an essential product or service, providing or receiving medical treatment, helping someone in need or distress. Exemptions would also be made for minors staying with a parent who lives outside of their home.
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According to the Health Ministry, the purpose of the restriction was to prevent people from gathering in closed spaces.
Finance Minister Israel Katz blasted the Health Ministry's proposal, saying the move was equivalent to "bringing back a lockdown through the backdoor."
The ministers were also set to authorize the conditions for entering a phase of what coronavirus chief Nachman Ash has called "tightened restraint," according to which the government would reimpose a series of coronavirus constrictions if the number of new daily cases tops 2,000 and the rate of reproduction reaches 1.3.
The meeting comes as 1,828 of the 73,146 Israelis who tested for the coronavirus, Wednesday, were found to be carrying the virus, for an infection rate of 2.6%. Israel currently has 5,716 active cases, 318 of which are serious. Of those in serious condition, 100 are on ventilators. So far, 2,934 people have died.
The ministers were also set to authorize mandating Israelis either enter into quarantine upon entering Israel or take two coronavirus tests. Meanwhile, shopping malls across the country opened their doors to customers on Wednesday, after receiving approval from the cabinet on Tuesday night.
Despite efforts by the Health Ministry to designate the United Arab Emirates a "red" country following the spike in recent infections and growing interest from Israelis interested in visiting the Gulf state, Following pressure from the Foreign Ministry, the United Arab Emirates will continue to be designated as "green" for the coming three weeks at least.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin said he plans to be the first Israeli to receive Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine to encourage others to be inoculated.
Netanyahu made the remarks at a ceremony marking the arrival of the first shipment of the pharmaceutical giant's vaccines at Ben-Gurion International Airport.
In a statement, Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein announced Israel's healthcare providers would begin vaccinating people on Dec. 27.
He emphasized, "I believe in this vaccine. I expect it to receive the necessary approvals in the coming days, and I want Israel's citizens to be vaccinated. And to that end, I want to set an example, and I intend to be the first in Israel to be inoculated with this vaccine."
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