Israel Reimposes Masks Mandate Simply 10 Days After Scrapping COVID-19 Restrictions | ETurboNews | Developments
Israeli health authorities fear that the infectious Delta variant, first discovered in India, is behind the rising case numbers, as it can spread rapidly through a population due to its highly transmissible nature and endanger the health of unvaccinated people.
- Israel’s decision to revert to the mask mandate 10 days after it was lifted is seen as a blow to the country’s government.
- Israel recorded 227 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday despite the successful launch of the vaccine.
- A new COVID-19 testing facility has been set up at Ben Gurion International Airport to limit the risk of new strains entering the country.
Just 10 days after the COVID-19 restrictions ended, the Israeli authorities reintroduced a mask requirement for all public places.
The decision was announced over the public radio by the head of Israel’s COVID-19 task force Nachman Ash, fearing that “infections will spread across the country,” with the number of cases “doubling in a few days.”
“We have more cities where the numbers are increasing and communities where the cases are increasing,” warned Ash in his statement.
According to government officials, Israel recorded 227 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday despite the successful launch of the vaccine.
Israeli health authorities fear that the infectious Delta variant, first discovered in India, is behind the rising case numbers, as it can spread rapidly through a population due to its highly transmissible nature and endanger the health of unvaccinated people.
Israel’s decision to revert to the mask mandate 10 days after it was lifted is being seen as a blow to the country’s government, which is considered one of the most successful vaccination programs in the world and has given 80% of adults at least one dose.
Despite the setback, however, Ash knew that health officials still “hope the vaccines will protect us from spikes in hospital stays and difficult cases.”
As the Israelis want to celebrate proudly this weekend, the Ministry of Health has asked citizens to wear masks again in overcrowded outdoor areas. This year’s Tel Aviv Pride March is expected to have tens of thousands of people after it was canceled due to the pandemic last year.
Recently appointed Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned Israelis of a “new outbreak” earlier this week and set up a new COVID-19 testing facility at Ben Gurion International Airport to limit the risk of new strains entering the country. That was paired with an announcement on Wednesday that Israel would postpone its plans to reopen the country to international tourists.
