News & Updates on the Coronavirus in Israel
It seems like there is a new update just about every second, and it is hard to keep track of what's what. To make matters worse, the fake news is literally spreading faster than the virus itself.
I've gathered some of my go-to places for reliable updates about the situation inside of Israel, and some from abroad. I'll also do my best to keep the most updated situation at the top of the page.
When all else fails, just remember to:
Avoid crowded and public places as much as you can
Wash your hands often and thoroughly
Avoid touching your face
Respect and follow mandated quarantine laws
Be kind and thoughtful to others
24/4 Israel Approves Partial Reopening
The government will allow reopening of all street shops, barbershops and beauty salons.
Businesses are required to take customer's temperatures before entry
Limit of customers in store at a time (6 per 75m)
Beauty salons must use gloves & special safety precautions
Shopping malls and gyms will remain closed
5/4 - Selected Cities on 100% Lockdown
The following cities are on complete lockdown as of tonight. This means there is no transportation in and out of them. They are under guard by the IDF. It is said that more cities will likely be announced tomorrow.
Jerusalem (select neighborhoods)
Elad
Migdal HaEmek
Ashkelon
Tiberias
Or Yehuda
Modiin Elite
Most notable updates:
It is advised for all people to wear protective masks when going out in public
Passover Seders are limited to the nuclear family (meaning you cannot travel to other's houses for Seder).
27/3 - Official Lockdown Rules from the Israeli Ministry of Health
25/3 - New Lockdown Regulations
Starting today for ~1 week the Israeli government has implemented new, stricter lockdown regulations. These regulations stress only leaving your house for essential things, such as food & medicine, and to do so as close to your home as possible. You may still go outside of your home to walk your dog, exercise, etc. but should stay within 100 meters distance. All regulations will be enforced by law enforcement with assistance from the IDF.
20/3 - Additional Limitations of Workplaces
The government has approved emergency regulations that limit the number of workers in the workplace
The regulations stipulate that the number of employees will be reduced to 30% in the business and public sectors. However, the Treasury wants to emphasize that businesses can remain open as long as the rules are in place. The Ministry of Finance will continue to work to enable the powerful Israeli economy engines to continue to work despite the situation. The Israeli economy will continue to operate and essential enterprises and businesses will maintain their regular operations.
Treasury Director General Shai Babad: "Our job is to maintain an active economy during this period and to ensure that the Israeli economy remains strong the following day."
The government on Friday approved emergency regulations designed to limit the number of workers in the workplace due to the outbreak of the Corona virus. According to the regulations, as of today, the government sector will move to an emergency format, which will provide essential services to the citizen but will reduce to about 30% the essential set of manpower that will continue to work from the office and from home. This is except for bodies that can work for more than 30%, including health, welfare and security.
The emergency plan will also apply to non-public bodies, which will also allow work from home. Regarding private businesses, the regulations stipulate that the transitional rule that applies in the workplace should not be at the same time more than 30% of the workforce or up to 10 employees (whichever is higher).
In order to ensure that the public does not feel a shortage of food, medicines, financial services, garbage collection, energy supply and more, essential bodies have been defined that can exceed the transitional rule. These bodies will be able to operate with more than 30% of the workforce in order to ensure the provision of regular supplies and services, while adhering to the Ministry of Health's guidelines. These measures are designed to enable as many workers as possible to stay in their homes, minimize the extent of contagion and at the same time enable essential functioning of the economy.
Want to know if your workplace is essential? You can read the regulations file that can be found on the Ministry of Finance website - www.gov.il/en/departments/ministry_of_finance
Do you have any other questions about this? You are invited to enter the Home Front Command website at: https://info.oref.org.il/
Or to the Home Front Command at 104.
19/3 - Newly Released Lockdown Regulations
The Israeli government announced another new set of regulations for full lockdown. All people are asked to only leave the house when it is absolutely necessary, and to keep that time as short as possible.
Israel Officially Begins Tracking Cell Phone Data to Track Coronavirus
The government approved utilizing personal cell phone data to track those suspected to have coronavirus. More details in these articles:
Israel Moves to Full Lockdown Regulations
Those in violation of the regulations will face fines $1,300.
MK Kahlon announced a number of measures that will be taken in order to help assist with financial fallout being experienced by many businesses and workers due new Caronavirus regulations. This includes deferring housing bills, grants for freelance workers, modified unemployment benefits, and more.
UNEMPLOYMENT RESOURCES
FILE FOR US STIMULUS MONEY
For English-translated live-streams of press conferences:
21/3 - Health Alert from US Embassy Regarding Traveling to the US
As of March 21, commercial flights out of Ben Gurion Airport to the United States remain available on the following airlines: United Airlines, El Al, and Turkish Airlines. United Airlines will suspend flights out of Ben Gurion Airport to the United States starting March 26. While flights remain available from Ben Gurion Airport to other international locations which may provide connections to the United States, airlines continue to cancel flights or suspend operations. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe.
Directly from the Website of the US Embassy:
The Israeli Population and Immigration Authority will deny entry to any person who is not an Israeli resident or citizen who has traveled in the last 14 days to:
China, Italy, South Korea (including connecting flights in these locations)
Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, Japan, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Austria, San Marino, Andorra, and Egypt (does not apply to connecting flights in these locations if you did not leave the airport)
Any traveler in the last 14 days who attended any gatherings of more than 100 people or an international conference.
U.S. citizens who possess an Israeli visa (e.g., student visa) are encouraged to contact your local Israeli embassy or consulate to determine if you will be permitted entry prior to arrival.
Land border crossings may be closed with little or no advance notice. There are reports that the following border crossings and crossing points are closed to non-Israeli or non-Palestinian citizens and residents, unless they have proof of onward departure travel from Ben Gurion (Tel Aviv) airports within six hours:
The Menachem Begin/Taba Border Crossing between Eilat and Taba, Egypt
Beginning March 17 and until further notice, the Government of Jordan has suspended all inbound and outbound flights and closed land and sea borders to passenger traffic.
Most checkpoints between Jerusalem and Bethlehem and its surrounding suburbs in the West Bank have been closed until further notice. Additional checkpoints might be closed on short notice. If you are traveling from the West Bank to Ben Gurion airport for onward departure, you must appear at a checkpoint no earlier than six hours prior to your scheduled flight and present proof of travel. All travelers, including U.S. citizens, passing through any open checkpoints between Israel and the West Bank might be subject to increased scrutiny and significant delays. Further checkpoint information is available here but it may not always be up to date: http://www.cogat.mod.gov.il/en/pages/homepage.aspx.
