Elderly people, constituting a population segment that is particularly at risk from the virus, will be transferred to hotels • The operation will commence within days • The project cost is estimated at NIS 75 million • The hotels will be operated by the Home Front Command • The government will decide whether to impose a closure on Bnei Brak tonight

Interior and Defense Ministers Aryeh Deri and Naftali Bennett on Thursday formulated an outline to treat the elderly population in the city of Bnei Brak, in light of the continued rapid spread of the Corona virus in the city. This involves the evacuation of some 4,500 veteran citizens aged 80 and over, which will be scrapped by the Interior Ministry and the local authority in Bnei Brak. They will be evacuated within a few days by the security system for insulating hotels operated by the Home Front Command.

Photo: Moti Green

The outline was suggested with the understanding that the elderly population in Bnei Brak is at the highest risk, and therefore should be removed as soon as possible from the city, which is characterized by high density.

The cost of the project is estimated at approximately NIS 75 million, which will be transferred to the Ministry of Defense from the Ministry of Finance. The move will be carried out in coordination with the Corona virus headquarters in Bnei Brak, led by Mayor Abraham Rubinstein and Maj. Gen. Ronnie Nome.

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According to new guidelines for Bnei Brak, the adult population (ages 60-80) will remain in hermetic home isolation as much as possible, while adhering to precautions (social remoteness, disinfection, wearing face masks and more) among the general population of all ages.

Ahead of the closure in Bnei Brak?

The government is expected to convene tonight (Thursday) at 4:30 pm, and approve new emergency regulations by telephone with a view to addressing the ongoing outbreak of the Corona virus in the country. One of the issues that the government is about to develop is the treatment of the big ultra-Orthodox city - in which, according to some estimates, there are tens of thousands of undiagnosed patients.

In addition to the large number of patients, the government fears violations of the closure guidelines in the city, and only today police forces raided the structure of the Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, after the faction's students held quarters. At least five were arrested. The incident is taking place against the backdrop of increased police enforcement throughout the city of emergency regulations. Police said dozens of reports were issued today about violating the city's public health order.