At the end of a special meeting, a series of guidelines was approved • The only campfire that will be held in Meron, where the entertainment will take place in a very limited format • The police will block access to the mountain • Regardless of the holiday, gatherings in the open area of ​​up to 50 people are allowed • Weddings, funerals, prayers and alliances will be held with up to 20 man

Lag Omar alert: Government approved Wednesday the restrictions to be applied during Lag Omar holidays, which will be held on Monday and Tuesday next week, in order to prevent the spread of the Corona virus in the country. In addition, it was decided that the Lag Baomer bonfire would only be lit in a maroon blight, while in other parts of the country, bonfires would be prohibited.

Mass fire in Miron (Archive) // Photo: Ofer Freiman

Today's regulations state that the disease from tomorrow, Thursday, through Wednesday, May 13, will prohibit the burning of fires across the country. In addition, during this period, staying in the area of ​​Mount Meron is prohibited from renting rooms and accommodation units and no public transport will be used - except for people who live there or who are required to arrive at their place of work. At the same time, tomorrow morning will also prohibit entry and stay in the confined area of ​​the Rashbi tomb and the settlement of Meron, as well as renting rooms and guest rooms in this area, to people who do not live there.

Instead of Lag Ba'omer events that are used each year at the Rashbi tomb complex on Mount Meron, the Minister of Religious Services will allow the existence of three fires in the Rashbi tomb area, which will be held under a special permit, separately and at different times. The number of participants in each lighting event may not exceed 50 people According to the regulations, any violation of one of the said debts would constitute a punishable offense.

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Further to the Public Health Order, which will be signed by the Director General of the Ministry of Health in the coming days and will allow congregations in an open space of up to 50 people, it is stated that on Sunday, the restriction on holding weddings, funerals and prayers of up to 19 or 20 people will also be removed, and more Alliances in a closed place for up to 19 people (despite the ban on gathering starting in the building).

Subsequent to the Cabinet meeting, they were also permitted to have a mental health treatment for a minor without a mask and without the need to maintain distance as required by the regulations, when it is a treatment which, by its very nature, is required to take place with greater proximity between the therapist and the patient. In addition, gyms and studios were allowed to open for sports or dance activities, so that the permitted number of stays per person per 10 square meters (instead of 15) in the gym, and one person per 7 square feet in the studio. When operating these places, the rules set out to maintain public health in a public place must be strictly adhered to.

Commissioner of Fire and Rescue to Israel, Rabbi Tepser Dadi Simhi welcomed the government's decisions, saying with reference to the ban on lighting fires that "the government's decision to ban the burning of camp fires in Omer is committed to the dangers to the public and the environment. I urge parents and children to adhere to the guidelines and to celebrate only in designated locations while strictly adhering to the precautionary and safety rules. "  

Remember, last year, a firefighter and rescue commissioner issued a first order limiting fires to Lag Omar by virtue of his authority, as part of a cultural shift in preserving natural values ​​and reducing fire and property damage. At the time, the restrictive injunction was welcomed by local authorities forced to deal with the devastating consequences of Lag Ba'omer and many of them sought a similar order this year as well. 

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri addressed the decision today, emphasizing that he opposes the closure of Lag Ba'omer in the evening. "The data released by the Ministry of Health are certainly good. We are doing justice to the public, the economy and the merchants. Therefore, it does not seem right and logical to return Israel to closure on Sunday, after most of the economy is already operating. The justified ban on burning fires will remain, but the closure is unnecessary. "

Israel's police force is preparing for the small commotion in the history of the State of Israel on Lag Ba'omer in Meron. Next week on Monday evening, only hundreds of people will be expected to participate in a limited number of infections, in contrast to a normal year, with tens of thousands of people participating throughout the day. And all night long.

Contrary to standard years, where the arrangements and procedures are held for months before Lag Ba'omer, this time, due to the Corona virus, there is still no definite decision on when and how the celebrations will be conducted. Gandhi, Hillel Cave and Toldot Aharon complex, with each of them the Rabbi or the Admor and ten other participants.

At the same time, the Jerusalem Parents Organization called on the government and the education system to cancel Lag Ba'omer's vacation, which is supposed to take place next Tuesday - just about a week after some of the students in the education system returned to school.