The Ministry of Health is expected to ask the government to impose a night curfew from Thursday to Sunday, between 20:00 and 05:00, in order to prevent gatherings and contagion at Purim parties.
The ministers are expected to convene today (Monday) at 15:00 and discuss various issues, but it is not clear whether they will also deal with the restrictions for Purim. Health Minister Edelstein this morning supported the night curfew, saying there is no escape from certain restrictions during the holiday.
Corona’s commissioner, Prof. Nachman Ash, yesterday: “Calls on the public – go get vaccinated” // Photo: GPO
In an interview with Effie Trigger’s program at the GLC, Edelstein said that “a night curfew could be beneficial in the current circumstances. We are in extensive discussions with other ministries as well. There is no ideal solution, we examine all the options available to us. “Unfortunately, there is no escape from restrictions on Purim.”
The minister also said that his office had received reports of social media organizations holding pirate parties over the holiday and a 35% increase in alcohol sales. “We are very much trying to avoid it. The atmosphere at the moment is one of progress and openness, also of the education system for the most part, of gyms. At the moment the news we are receiving is not encouraging, so at the cabinet meeting we will consider what to do in a curfew,” he said. “We want to let people feel the holiday, eat with the family and hear the Megillah, but do avoid parties, slander and feasting with everyone. We are looking for the king’s way.”
Referring to reports that Pfizer’s stock of vaccines will run out in about two weeks, Edelstein said that in case these do end – the residents who want to get vaccinated will receive the modern company’s vaccine. “There is no need for manipulations, we continue to vaccinate – there is no need to worry. We are working to vaccinate everyone to open up the economy and cultural events more. There has been an incredible response to vaccines.”
The Minister of Health also said that when the number of vaccinated people reaches five million Israelis, Pfizer’s inventory will run out – and then Israel will switch to using modern vaccines. “It’s the same vaccine with no less good results, I do not understand the panic in the matter,” he said. He also referred to reports that Israel would transmit vaccines to several countries“We do not transmit vaccines, certainly not Pfizer’s, to any country. There is a lot of information about it, but there will be no situation where vaccines are transmitted to other countries or to other people at the expense of Israeli citizens.”
According to him, yesterday 157,000 people were vaccinated yesterday – about 80,000 of them received the first vaccine. He added that some 4.377 million residents of the country were vaccinated against the corona, almost three million of whom also received the second vaccine. 2.6 million Israelis are entitled to a vaccine certificate. “More and more people are realizing – a life-saving vaccine. Go get vaccinated!”, He said.
Edelstein also referred to the decision of the Forum of the 15 Most Powerful Cities in Israel to open the education system for seventh- to tenth-grade students starting Wednesday, contrary to the decision of the Corona Cabinet, saying that the pressure from the heads of those cities does not frighten him. “If they are all professors of epidemiology, they can explain what they are doing. I suggest they abide by the law and the guidelines, no one gave them the right to endanger their residents when they were elected,” he said.
“I have a child at home at this age, I understand the frustration. People who do not want to keep the guidelines and be populists will always be found. The guidelines were written in blood,” he added. “I say very clearly to the heads of the authorities – act responsibly.”
