The Knesset approved a third reading to increase the fine and allow municipal inspectors to enforce the Corona regulations

• Police enforce the Corona Regulations in Jerusalem // Photo: Oren Ben Hakun

The Knesset plenum, on second and third reading, approved a bill for the amendment and validity of emergency regulations. The plenary has approved raising the administrative fine for not wearing a mask from NIS 200 to NIS 500 and stating that this offense can be enforced not only by a police officer, but also by inspectors who are civil servants, natural and park inspectors, local authority employees and municipal inspectors.

It was further confirmed that before exercising a non-police officer such authority shall undergo dedicated training in this matter and that the conduct of supervision and the imposition of a fine for this offense shall be in accordance with a general enforcement policy, taking into account, inter alia, the need for enforcement by equitable standards, And you can avoid imposing the fine depending on the circumstances. The Israel Police will be responsible for determining such policies and training. 

With regard to other administrative offenses related to the opening of businesses, it has been approved to provide a notice of imposition of the fine also by way of delivery to the person responsible for the place or business, in addition to sending it by registered mail to the operator.

The explanation for the proposal reads: "Due to the recent rise in morbidity and non-compliance with the provisions aimed at preventing the infection, including the obligation to wear a mask, it is proposed to amend the Enforcement Law and to make provisions aimed at improving and enhancing enforcement."

Chairman of the Constitution Committee MK Ya'akov, who presented the proposal, said: "Despite the controversy in this regard, in light of the position of the health and professional ministries, the committee confirmed that these measures are unavoidable in order to eradicate the dangerous phenomenon of wearing a mask. I hope that just raising the fine and increasing the supervision will be a deterrent and that no fines will be imposed on these amounts especially during a difficult economic period. "

MK Yoav Segalovich objected to the proposal, saying: "We have recommended that there be a fund that all these fines go to anyone who is injured in Corona, but you did not receive the recommendation, so it goes to the local authorities. And in some places there are unprofessional and unprofessional over-enforcement. "

MK Eli Avider also objected, saying: "You went and agreed to bring in city inspectors, what did you do to the public? You took city inspectors who had no idea how to conduct and gave them policing powers, you turned us into a police state. That insanity will cease when Netanyahu goes out of his way. "In a third reading, 34 backed by 24 opponents