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Israel reopens economy following high vaccination rate

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What happened: Israel reopened its economy and secondary schools yesterday as it starts to return to normal following its successful vaccination programme.

  • The Israeli cabinet approved a list of measures easing restrictions on Saturday evening, just hours before they were due to take effect. They included allowing restaurants, coffee shops and event halls to open with restrictions, as well as permitting gatherings of up to 20 people inside and 50 outside.
  • Hotels can open and operate at 50 per cent capacity and culture and sport events, houses of prayer and convention centres can host gatherings of up to 500 people indoors, and up to 750 people in open-air spaces.
  • Israelis stuck abroad are also allowed to return. Up to 1,000 can enter the country from selected cities, with that number rising to 3,000 by the end of the week. Israelis who have either been vaccinated or who have recovered from coronavirus will be permitted to leave the country freely.
  • Departing passengers who are not vaccinated will have to obtain approval from an exemptions committee in order to leave Israel.
  • Incoming travellers will no longer be required to quarantine in government-sponsored hotels, but they could be required to wear electronic bracelets to make sure that they quarantine at home. Foreign nationals who want to enter Israel will have to receive permission from the state in advance of their flight.
  • Israel has begun operating a dual certificate programme that permits citizens certain access depending on their stage in the vaccination process or whether they have recovered from COVID-19.
  • A Green certificate will allow free access to gyms/exercise studios, swimming pools, restaurants and cafés, hotels, stadiums, sporting grounds, movie theatres and culture venues and exhibitions. Restaurants and other facilities that comply with the purple certificate requirements will be allowed to offer outdoor dining.

Context: Yesterday marked the third stage of lifting coronavirus-related restrictions, which was made possible by the high vaccination rate in the country.

  • However, there is concern among health officials by the lack of vaccine turnout in the Arab community. Health Ministry figures on Sunday revealed that around 989,000 Israelis over the age of 16 have yet to receive a single dose of a coronavirus shot, of which 39 per cent are Arab Israelis. Around 68 per cent of Arab Israelis aged 16 and up have either received at least one shot of a coronavirus vaccine or recovered from the virus, compared to 84 per cent of the country as a whole.
  • There are 724 coronavirus patients in a critical condition in Israel, with around 210 on respirators. The percentage of people who tested positive yesterday stood at 3.7. For the first time in several weeks, the COVID-19 reproduction rate in ultra-Orthodox communities was the highest, 1.07, as opposed to 0.98 in Arab society and 0.99 in the general public.
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu’s campaign strategy has been to get the country as close to normal before the election on 23 March. Yesterday he met with Bedouin representatives in the Negev, to encourage, among other things, the population to get vaccinated. The 10 Israeli towns with the lowest vaccination rates are all unrecognised Bedouin towns in southern Israel, according to Health Ministry figures.
  • The Education Ministry said that 76 per cent of the teaching staff had either been vaccinated or had recovered from COVID-19 – this figure did not include non-teaching staff such as classroom assistants, secretaries and other non-teaching staff.
  • Despite the government saying on Sunday that another lockdown would not happen before 23 March, the government’s coronavirus manager Nachman Ash urged citizens to exercise restraint with the reopening of the economy. He said to Yediot Ahronot: “It is not over. We must continue to be careful, keeping social distance and wearing masks. We have a way until it is over.”

Looking ahead: Health Ministry sources have acknowledged that some limitations could be announced for the Passover holiday, but not over the next two weeks.

  • Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said Sunday: “I very much hope we will be able to be with the whole family — up to 20 people indoors, as is the current limitation. I am hopeful, and this is a hope with a pretty good basis… that with proper conduct [by the public], we will be able to avoid more lockdowns. I really do ask everyone to help us with this.”