The day before the new restrictions take effect, the details are obscure, the rush is celebrating - and so is the criticism • It is allowed to go to the mikveh - but not to the pool • It is allowed to fly abroad - but not to leave home • Parents are not sure when and if school will resume • And the effort will be in vain
Citizens stock up on market before closure // Photo: Dudu Greenspan
A day before the closure begins, it seems that Israeli citizens have more questions than answers.
As of yesterday evening, no precise details have yet been released regarding the closure regulations, and important exceptions such as going out for medical treatment, demonstration, mikveh or sports activities have not yet been approved by the government.
This morning, the Knesset's Constitution Committee will discuss the issues.
Against the background of uncertainty, there are also echoes of criticism from various sectors and a demand for relief, each according to his values, customs or livelihood.
Among the controversial restrictions: walking to the mikveh is allowed, but entry to swimming pools is prohibited;
Gathering of dozens of people in a closed space of a synagogue is allowed, but gathering in other closed places, such as cultural institutions - is prohibited;
Workplaces remain open, but educational frameworks will be closed - a fact that will make it very difficult for parents of young children to go out and work.
Although it is clear to everyone that the education system will not operate in the next three weeks, it is still unclear when it will return to activity and in what format.
As of today, there will be no classes for all age groups.
According to Education Minister Yoav Galant's program, classes are scheduled to resume on October 11, that is, after Sukkot;
But even then it is not guaranteed that students will return to the classrooms, and even if they do - it is not known whether in the whole country or only in non-red cities.
More than 5,000 are infected
The lack of clear guidelines is also a cause for concern among law enforcement agencies.
"There is confusion among citizens about what is allowed and what is not," police said yesterday.
About 6,000 police and volunteers will participate in enforcing the closure, which will also be joined by hundreds of soldiers stationed at checkpoints.
Police admit they will have difficulty monitoring the number of worshipers at prayer houses.
On this issue, too, contacts are being held with the heads of the ultra-Orthodox sector to prevent friction, and an initiative has arisen to ask synagogue collectors to register the number of worshipers on the doors.
"Closure is an important tool," Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kish said yesterday, "but in order to achieve its goals, it needs to be tightened as much as possible. If everyone tries to circumvent the restrictions, we will not be able to lower the morbidity rate."
Indeed, morbidity rates are rising, apparently against the background of the opening of the education system.
As of the closing date of the issue, 5,494 new corona cases have been identified in the last day.
The death toll from the virus stands at 1,163, 11 of them yesterday.
Participating in the preparation of the article: Meital Yasur Beit Or, Noam Devol, Assaf Golan, Itzik Saban