Restrictions, fines and buses: The night closure will begin at 8:30 p.m.

These are the restrictions during the night closure, which will not apply in localities where the majority of the population is not Jewish, as well as in East Jerusalem:

• Prohibition on leaving the place of residence up to a range of 1,000 meters, except for essential purposes, and similar to the format of the closure that was activated in December.

• Prohibition on staying in another person’s home.

• Prohibition on running businesses to receive an audience during night closures, except for essential businesses (food stores, etc.).

• Parties are not allowed in any case during all hours of the day and night. A fine of NIS 5,000 to NIS 10,000 is expected for a place owner for operating a party or mass event that exceeds the limit of the gatherings, and additional fines can be given to service providers at a mass event.

• The fine for violating the restrictions of the night closure (going more than a thousand meters, staying in another house) is NIS 500.

• The houses of worship operate according to the existing congregational restrictions – 10 inside and 20 outside. Prayer houses registered with the local authority as places that operate according to the green label will be able to operate according to the occupancy restrictions adapted to the green label, with the introduction of vaccinated and recovering children only, and without children under the age of 16 who do not recover.

• During the night closure, it is possible to pray in the public space or in a house of prayer within 1,000 meters of the house. The Ministry of Health recommended ending prayers and reading the Megillah before the closing time.

• The holiday meals are recommended to be held among the nuclear family and according to the restrictions specified. At night – as mentioned, there is a ban on staying in other people’s homes.

• Joy trucks can be operated in the local authorities, while measures are taken to prevent gatherings in the area.

• The activity of the economy continues throughout the day as it did before the holiday. Trading continues to be open in the purple character format.

• Green Bat activities are allowed throughout the day.

During the closure, restrictions on public transportation activities will also apply, but the outline regarding the restrictions was published only tonight, about an hour before it takes effect. According to the outline, the intercity lines stopped operating tonight at 20:00 and will not operate on Saturday evening either. Train stations all over the country were closed to passenger entry at 20:00, and will reopen on Sunday morning, with the resumption of service.

Municipal public transportation will continue to operate at 75% of the number of seats, in order to address the permitted exit according to regulations. Tomorrow, public, urban and intercity transportation will operate on a regular basis and with a reduced occupancy of 75%, on the regular schedules.

On Saturday night, urban public transportation will operate as a series, with no intercity public transportation activity. On Sunday, public, municipal and intercity transportation is again expected to operate on a regular basis and with 75% occupancy throughout the country.

In order to enforce the new restrictions, the police announced that they would place about 250 roadblocks and deploy 2,500 vehicles on them. “We will activate all the police resources available to us, and as part of this we will set up checkpoints nationwide between the cities,” Commissioner Kobi Shabtai said last night. We appeal to the public to show public responsibility. “

Even before the nocturnal closure took effect, many gathered in Jerusalem tonight around synagogues where the Book of Esther was read. In some synagogues the reading was done according to groups that changed from time to time, in Sukkot and appropriate tents – but in others the worshipers simply crowded. Police moved into the city center and warned business owners to close immediately upon the entry of the night closure. Police officers documented the warnings so that they could then give reports and even closure orders if necessary. Most business owners complied with the instructions and closed their stores.

At one of the scattered parties in Rishon Lezion, the celebrants threw bottles at the police and tried to escape from them. In Kibbutz Givat Haim in Sharon, a party was even located inside a chicken coop. These incidents were reported after the rage caused by the sights the night before from Tel Aviv, where young and young people were celebrating at street parties in the Carmel market and on Rothschild Boulevard. At scattered parties, of course, the celebrants did not maintain social distance and did not wear masks.

Towards evening, a Purim party was also reported in the basement of a restaurant in the Eilat entertainment area. According to police, police officers who conducted an initiated patrol there noticed a heavy load of vehicles near a restaurant that was supposed to be closed. They opened on foot and heard music emanating from the place, then noticed a side door leading to the basement. There, about 30 participants celebrated with a DJ and a drinks bar. Police said both the business owner and the DJ were fined and summoned to a hearing to be held today before an officer.

Health Minister Yuli (Joel) Edelstein was furious at the parties, and said this morning: “Those who celebrate the infection parties need to know – the spike in illness will be registered in your name, business closure will be because of you, loss of human life will be on your conscience. You see the situation, you see how “Young people fall into a serious illness, how death reaches any age. Recover. It is not too late. To continue leaving the quarantine, two things are needed: be more careful about the instructions and go get vaccinated. There is no justification for any other action.”

A prominent activist in one of the Hassidic courtyards told Ynet: “Obviously we will have a tish this year as well – just like on Sukkot we did a house party pumping every night. The guidelines do not interest us, but it is clear that if there is no traffic restriction it will be much easier.”