The Deputy Minister of Health said on Tuesday that lifting locks at this stage would be a “mistake” due to the rise in new coronavirus cases and the spread of mutations.
The cabinet on Sunday voted to extend the lockout to Friday, with another meeting planned later in the week, where the closure could be extended further as the number of coronavirus reproductions increases. nearly 1 for the first time in months.
Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kisch
“The Ministry of Health has requested a lockout until Sunday,” Yoav Kisch told Ynet. “We want to see the data, we are at the height of the revolution. The health system is under a huge burden and it would be a mistake to lift the lock even on Sundays.”
He said the current viral wave will slow down once a larger chunk of the population is vaccinated.
“With each passing day, more people from at-risk groups are being protected, so it’s hopeful. The vaccines will save lives and in my opinion, in February we will see a reduction in numbers. of bad patients. “
Benny Gantz
(Photo: Ynet TV)
The deputy health minister also criticized Defense Minister Benny Gantz for wanting to lift the lock, citing its ineffectiveness, and rejecting the Health Ministry’s request for a week-long extension.
“It urges the Ministry of Health to suspend the lock in an uncontrolled manner,” he said. “With all due respect, it ends when the infectious (R) coefficient is reached. close to 1, it means step up in infection. Only when we start to see a decline in new cases of diagnosis and serious illness can we talk about opening up. “
Kisch said he opposes reopening partly because it ironically leads to overcrowding.
Implementation of locking in Tel Aviv
(Photo: Motti Kimchi, Alex Kolomoisky)
“The last time we just opened the street stores, it created the other effect, congestion and congestion. If you open the trade then reopen the whole thing. So fast and when you decide to reopen, reopening is a mistake to some extent because it unites people from all areas, green and red, in one place. “