Following the recent upward trend in corona virus morbidity, the Corona Cabinet is convening today (Sunday) to discuss the transition to the tight restraint phase, which includes a series of new restrictions. At the same time, the National Security Council is expected to recommend to the cabinet ministers that a general closure be implemented throughout the country and that the restraint phase be skipped.
At the beginning of the debate, the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Referred to the new strain of the virus discovered in the UK. “Last night I consulted with the Ministers of Defense, Health, Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs and Transportation following the British announcement of a new corona mutation,” the prime minister said. In order to prevent this virus from reaching Israel and spreading it. ”
“Right now We have no indication that the vaccine we have does not overcome the new mutation. To the best of our knowledge it does get better. Of course we examine this and follow this development closely. In any case, we intend to increase the rate of vaccinations. We will discuss in the cabinet the prevention of the entry of foreigners into Israel from the United Kingdom and from a number of other countries where the phenomenon of the new strain was reported until the situation is clarified. ”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu receives the vaccine for Corona. Photo: TPS
Later, Netanyahu said: “We need to shut down the whole world immediately. Give only to business people according to procedure. Limit the returns to tight insulation. Our price for non-reference is small in case a vaccine does not neutralize the mutation. There is no legal impediment to closing the sky except for the return of Israelis. The second thing: what do we do about who came from these countries. We need special monitoring, add in the decision how long to do tests from the infected countries. “
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Then, he asked “What prevents us from stopping flights from all over the world?”. The deputy head of the National Security Council replied that this was a decision of the Ministry of Transportation. ” It is an extreme step, but if there is a result, it will be difficult. ” Miri Regev She noted that during the month of November 4,099 people entered from England on 3 daily flights, but claimed that “there is no reason to close the sky”. Prof. Ren Blitzer Warned that “a targeted stop from one country does not block the infection. Because the mutation has probably already spread throughout Europe.”
Netanyahu explained that he “is interested in reducing the number of Israelis going abroad,” and the interior minister Aryeh Deri “From the first experience, if the cabinet makes a decision that everyone returning from abroad goes into isolation it will lower the morbidity to zero.” He continued: “Europe is one country, the director general of the Ministry of Health has signed that the whole world is red. He who returns from Dubai will not receive isolation. “
Pfizer’s corona vaccines arrive at Kaplan Hospital. Photo: Gilad Shaabani Chopin, Kaplan Medical Center
Due to the fear of the new strain, the Ministry of Health will suggest to the Cabinet that Israeli citizens returning from the countries, Britain, Denmark and South Africa will enter 14 days of isolation in a motel or 10 days of isolation subject to 2 negative tests. Admission to foreigners from these countries will also be restricted.
Projector Prof. Nachman Ash Update during the hearing that “our concern is from growing critically ill patients. Currently there are 70-80 new critically ill patients compared to 20 at the beginning of the month.” He also noted that as of today there are 61 red, 83 orange, 123 yellow and 1,016 green areas.
Corona projector Nachman Ash after being vaccinated against Corona
As mentioned, at the previous meeting of the Corona Cabinet, which took place about a week and a half ago, the Cabinet decided that if the number of new infections per day reached a weekly average of 2,500, or an infection coefficient (R) reached 1.32 – a period of tight restraint would begin. Across the country, restrictions on gatherings, reducing passenger occupancy by public transportation to 50% and closing all educational institutions in red and orange localities.
The period of tight restraint should last for three weeks. If the coefficient of infection drops to 1 or less at the end of the same period, the current limitations will be repeated. However, if after three weeks the infection coefficient does not drop to 1, the state will enter a full closure.
Last Thursday, a consultation was held among blue and white ministers who are members of the Corona Cabinet ahead of the expected discussion today. Following the consultation, Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bnei Gantz concluded that the position of blue and white ministers regarding the imposition of new restrictions on the public will be determined in accordance with the morbidity data and subject to the presentation of the immunization plan. “The scope of the vaccines and their expected impact on morbidity levels is a critical factor in making decisions that will affect the Israeli economy and the livelihoods of millions. We will seek all the relevant information, and only then will we formulate our position on the required restrictions,” Gantz noted. Finance Minister Israel Katz is expected to oppose the complete closure of commercial activity.
Even before the discussion in the Corona Cabinet, the Ministry of Health announced yesterday that from today all countries will be considered red, and those who return from them will have to go into two weeks of isolation. It is also possible to leave isolation within ten days. For this purpose, a corona test must be performed upon return to Israel and a second test nine days after landing. If both tests are negative, it will be possible to leave isolation after ten days.