A few hours after the cabinet meeting, Minister Edelstein convened a special briefing in Jerusalem • At an earlier meeting, he warned that if his office's outline was not accepted "next week we would have to impose a complete closure" • 691 new patients were diagnosed from midnight Hard

Against the sharp rise in the number of Corona patients in Israel, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein convened a press conference this evening (Monday) in his office in Jerusalem. Earlier today, he warned during the Cabinet meeting: "If they do not accept the Ministry of Health's proposal today, we will have to decide on a full closure next week."

Photo: June Rickner

"Every section and clause in the decision has an impact on the lives of many citizens, on their livelihoods, on their leisure time and on their way of life. This should not be taken lightly. Introduce a practical plan within 48 hours, while each section and section can also contribute to improving the morbidity situation.

"The equation is simple: decrease in morbidity = strengthening the economy; increase in morbidity = real damage to the economy. To save lives, and to save the economy, we must flatten the curve. The state of the economy and the health situation are interdependent.

"It should be understood, the simple steps the government has taken today give hope that in a week or two we will not have to declare a closure for a long period of time. No one wants that."

The minister added: "The fight against the Corona virus is a complicated, difficult and complex struggle against a pandemic that does not always expect its behavior. An elusive enemy who knows how to hide well. The feeling that accompanies the whole world is the feeling of uncertainty that creates great frustration.

"Faced with this epidemic, we make the decisions seriously, after in-depth discussions, in a way that will allow us dynamic conduct. Just like a commander on the battlefield. Corona's treatment is shoulder to shoulder with the government and the public. We will win the plague together."

At this stage, the Minister updated the following steps in the fight against Corona: "First, I have decided to appoint a special director for the Corona epidemic campaign. In the near future, I will announce my choice.

"In addition, I would like to apologize to many citizens who have not received a response in recent days. I would like to announce a significant increase in manpower at the Health Ministry's call centers. This is to address the thousands who are in isolation due to the telephone hoarding.

"Later this week, the Home Front Command will increase the focus in hundreds of additional soldiers and the waiting time will be greatly reduced. We are also constantly increasing the epidemiological investigations to shorten the infection chains.

"This is another important tool developed by our computer system. It is a smart system with artificial intelligence capable of tracing all the adhesive chains investigated, and with the click of a button all the adhesive chains and several generations have had the same adhesive chain. "We study the epidemic, we also prepare for another wave, more difficult, in winter. But together - we will win."

At a government meeting, ministers today approved a series of restrictions aimed at curbing the corona's second wave.

According to the government's decision, these restrictions were approved at a government meeting and will take effect today, from the moment that the Director General of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Hezi Levy, signs the order requiring their implementation: Prayers in synagogues for up to 19 people, the volume of employment in government offices and public companies will not exceed 30 percent. , Summer activities for youth and children will take place in the format of up to 20 children or boys in the group, and organized sports activities will be conducted without crowds.

In addition, there is a list of other regulations that depend on the Knesset's approval: buses - up to 20 people only, with open windows and no air-conditioning; Banquet halls, clubs and bars - full closure; Restaurants - up to 20 people inside and up to 30 people outside; Gyms and swimming pools (except hotels) - full closure; Cultural shows - completely closed; Hotels - closing bars, limiting diners and pool activities; Other crowds - up to 20 people, while keeping two feet away and wearing masks.

691 new adhesives from midnight

30,749 have been infected in Corona in Israel, of which 12,359 are active patients - according to updated data released this evening by the Ministry of Health on the disease. The death toll stands at 334 people, after three midnight victims were added.

According to the data, 349 Corona patients are hospitalized in Israeli hospitals. 88 of the patients are in serious condition, 35 are breathing, and 88 are in moderate condition. So far, 18,056 Israelis have recovered from the virus. 2,340 health care workers are now in isolation: 338 doctors and doctors, 614 nurses and siblings, and 1,388 in other professions.

The data also shows that 19,420 corona tests were performed yesterday, more than 14,000 have been conducted since midnight today.

More on:

• Government ministers approve: will close clubs, banqueting rooms, swimming pools and gyms

• An effort in the Knesset to speed up legislation that is crucial to Corona

• Edelstein to ministers: "If you do not accept the Health Ministry's proposals, we will have to decide on a complete closure"

• Rabbis in the ultra-Orthodox world warn: "There may be thousands of patients at meetings"

• Ruthie Brodo: "Enough to scare people"

Distributed by virus spreading areas, Jerusalem stands at the top of the table with 5,611 patients in its field. Followed by Bnei Brak with 3,965 patients, and Tel Aviv-Jaffa with 1,881 patients. In Ashdod, 1,037 Corona patients were reported, in Beit Shemesh - 764, in Petah Tikva - 671, in Bat Yam - 625, and in Modi'in Illit - 624.

PM: "Immediate steps are needed"

At a cabinet meeting today, Minister Yuval Steinitz said: "We need to get a two-week breather as soon as possible to stop the morbidity immediately. Only then has the rate of infection dropped dramatically and in one go, and we can end the European boycott of flights from Israel, which is one of the factors The key to harming the economy. "

Steinitz noted that the synagogues were a significant source of contagion and offered to close them. He annoyed Housing Minister Jacob Litzman, who replied: "Stop talking about the synagogues already." At this point, Minister Aryeh Deri intervened, admitting that he had not been praying for a synagogue for a long time because of the plague.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented: "Today there are about 90 seriously ill patients, and that doubles every four days. Immediately prevent us from taking much more extreme steps later. "

However, most ministers tried to soften the decrees introduced by the Ministry of Health. Minister Gila Gamaliel said that "there must be internal logic and order in the decisions, so that they appear credible in the public interest. It makes no sense that 20 people are allowed in one place and not in another. If something is prevented, he should have a rationale."

Participating in the preparation: Ariel Kahana