Transport Minister Regev, Health Minister Edelstein and Foreign Minister Ashkenazi were authorized to promote the outline for the opening of the sky from August 16. • In addition, an interim plan for differentiating the infection centers was approved • It was also decided to postpone the use of closures and examine the need in about two weeks
The corona cabinet convened in a limited format
Photo:
Amos Ben Gershom / GPO - Archive
On the way to the opening of the sky and the lifting of restrictions on weekends: The Corona Cabinet this evening (Wednesday) approved the authorization of Transport Minister Miri Regev, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi to promote the sky-opening plan from August 16.
According to the outline for the opening of the sky, Israelis and tourists who come from "green" countries will not have to enter isolation upon their return to Israel. Currently, a list of countries has not yet been compiled, but it seems that Germany, Lithuania, Greece and other countries will be part of the list of green countries that will be updated every few weeks.
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Currently, Israel is considered a "red" country, whose citizens are not allowed to enter those green countries, so such an outline is relevant in the first stage especially to tourists and foreign passport holders.
Israelis will only be able to enter green countries when the morbidity rate in Israel has dropped significantly. There are now several countries - such as Croatia, Bulgaria, Turkey and the United States - that allow Israelis to enter, some with such and such restrictions. The problem: these are red countries and those who return from them will be required to be isolated in any case.
Transport Minister Miri Regev referred to the significant step towards opening the skies: "Together with the Minister of Health and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, we will work to implement an outline that will make it possible to open the skies and maintain Israeli aviation."
The only Israeli airline currently active is Israir, which in recent months has brought in more than a thousand new immigrants. El Al and Arkia have not been active for several months, and it is unclear when they will return to activity due to their complex situation.
Important news for the tourism industry and for all Israeli citizens. Opening the skies is a necessary step on the way to the recovery of the Israeli economy and the restoration of the tourism industry to all its workers, who suffered a fatal blow following the crisis. Welcomes this important decision that will provide many with a horizon for the future. https://t.co/eHbMDWyg4k
- Asaf Zamir Asaf Zamir (@asafzamir) August 5, 2020
Following the decision of the Corona Cabinet, Tourism Minister Assaf Zamir wrote on Twitter: "An important message for the tourism industry and for all Israeli citizens. Opening the sky is a necessary step on the recovery of the Israeli economy and restoring the tourism industry to all its workers, who suffered fatalities." Many have a horizon for the future. "
Regarding the disease situation, the Corona Cabinet has approved an interim plan designed to curb the high levels of infection in Israel. As part of the program, moves will be made to differentiate the infection centers. It was decided that the use of closures should be postponed and the need for such a step re-examined in about two weeks.
Corona Fighting Commissioner Prof. Roni Gamzo said the morbidity situation is worrying and the aim is to significantly reduce morbidity by 1 September.
According to Prof. Gamzo: "No country in the world with a high level of morbidity like in Israel treats morbidity without closure. The Israeli government is sensitive to the delicate socio-economic situation and difficulties of the public and therefore trusted me in a way that does not include full closure. This is probably a last chance." And the morbidity will not decrease within two weeks, he was forced to consider restrictions, including the possibility of a local or national closure. "
According to the proposal of Health Minister Edelstein and senior officials of the Ministry of Health, including the special commissioner Prof. Gamzo, there will be a distinction between localities and cities where there is a high infection rate and the rest of the country.
In the 22 "red" and "orange" localities, where there is a large number of carriers and a high rate of infection, targeted measures will be taken. Among other things, spot closures will be used, if necessary. In addition, there will be a large-scale evacuation of carriers and isolators to Corona hotels. In these localities there will be expanded activity of the Home Front Command and assistance packages will be provided.
Video: Tal Oz / Ministry of Defense
As part of the new policy for "red" and "orange" cities, an extensive system of assistance will be provided to the population, with the support of the local authority's management. In addition, operational tools will be used to lead the Home Front Command to improve the amputation of the contagion chains in these centers.
It was also decided on the following steps: Ensuring the isolation of the family unit to prevent inter-family infection and providing spot assistance to families, enforcing and enforcing current restrictions on gatherings and gatherings, managing a flexible evacuation system while providing local quotas above the rigorous criteria, Restrictions on the education system, increasing the assistance of the health funds and the management of morbidity by the Ministry of Health.
It was also agreed to lift the restriction on opening businesses at the weekend and end the restriction on staying in playgrounds in public areas - two decisions that will be approved by the government tomorrow.
It has also been determined that the national restrictions that were valid until now will continue, and from September 1, the "traffic light" program for the management of the epidemic will take effect in the model of local authorities according to the outline of the disease situation in each city.
Closing on the topic: The Corona cabinet convenes
It turns out: the Corona cabinet will lift the closure this weekend
"In the world, women win the corona, and in Israel they are excluded from decision-making."
It was also decided in the Corona Cabinet to resume the full activity of the business sector on weekends. The decision follows Minister Edelstein's remarks on Tuesday that there is no health justification for stopping business on Saturday: "We will not be able to live long in these numbers (of those infected; etc.). Even if there is no further increase, we must lower the curve. We will try very hard to introduce uniform criteria for restrictions in the various areas. One thing is clear: there is no such thing as a half-pregnancy. If there is no full closure on the weekends - there is no point in the partial restrictions that take place on the weekends. "
Minister of Culture Hili Trooper demanded in the Corona Cabinet the opening of the world of culture. At the meeting, it was agreed that cultural performances in open spaces in "green cities" would be possible, according to an outline to be agreed between the Minister of Health and the Minister of Culture and Sports.
The Cabinet convened for long hours to explore ways to reduce infection rates. Prior to the discussion, Minister Ophir Akunis said that "the proposal to close at the end of August should be rejected outright. Only public discourse about it is enough, which is a serious blow to the Israeli economy and hundreds of thousands of business owners. The cabinet must remove this proposal from its agenda."
Maya Cohen participated in the preparation of the article