Has Israel survived the worst of the corona pandemic?
After months of lockdown, the country is largely lifting the restrictions.
Vaccinated and convalescents have special rights.
Tel Aviv - The Corona lockdown * in Israel is one of the toughest and longest in the world.
Since September last year, there have been strict curfews and strict restrictions on public life there - with temporary easing.
At the turn of the year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that the lockdown and the simultaneous rapid vaccinations would free Israel from the coronavirus *.
It is not yet clear whether the country is actually rid of the corona virus.
But many of the tough measures are now being relaxed - especially for those who have been vaccinated or those who have recovered from the corona.
After tough lockdown: Israel introduces relief for corona vaccinated and convalescent people
Israel on Sunday introduced relief for citizens who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus * or have recovered from illness.
With a “Green Pass” they can visit fitness studios, hotels, theaters or sporting events, among other things.
Health Minister Juli Edelstein wrote on Twitter that more than 3.2 million Israelis could now enjoy these benefits.
The aim is to stimulate the economy in the country again.
"The Green Passport is gradually opening the country again," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday evening.
The vaccination campaign in Israel is very advanced compared to other countries.
The country with its 9.3 million inhabitants is considered a pioneer.
Every citizen from the age of 16 can now be vaccinated.
The number of infections in the country is still comparatively high, but has fallen steadily over the past few weeks.
Corona lockdown in Israel: These relaxations also apply to non-vaccinated people
As part of a second opening step after a week-long lockdown, shopping centers, museums, libraries and prayer houses were also opened for non-vaccinated people on Sunday.
The corona rules such as mask requirement and distance must also be observed there.
The schools were also opened to other classes.
In Israel, anyone who has recovered or who has been vaccinated can create a vaccination card online one week after the second vaccination.
Personal information can be read using a simple QR code.
Owners of such a vaccination card can then have a green passport issued, including via a special app.
Corona vaccination at Ikea: furniture giant advertises with free spades
A bizarre note on the side: furniture giant Ikea even offers a free vaccination when you visit the furniture store from Sunday to Tuesday - probably a kind of reunion gift.
A user posted a photo of the corresponding advertisement on Twitter.
In total, around 4.3 million first and almost three million second vaccinations have been given in Israel since December 19.
For comparison: Germany has around nine times as many inhabitants as Israel.
So far, almost 3.2 million people there have received a first and almost 1.7 million a second vaccination.
Other countries like Germany can also hope for this long-awaited turning point in the Corona crisis - albeit with some delay.
New data on the Biontech vaccine from Israel indicate a crucial aspect that could herald the "return to normal".
Vaccinated persons apparently no longer pass the virus on - which would mean that the vaccination would also be accompanied by “sterile immunity”.
Israel Health Minister: "Those Who Don't Get Vaccinated Are Left Behind"
In the meantime, however, a certain amount of vaccination fatigue has also been noticed in Israel, especially among younger population groups and among groups such as the ultra-Orthodox, who apparently largely ignore the corona risk.
There is great fear of losing the success achieved in fighting pandemics.
Now the government hopes that the Green Pass can convince previous vaccination refusals.
Israel's Minister of Health Yuli Edelstein made a clear statement in this regard: "Those who do not get vaccinated will be left behind," he was
quoted
by
zdf.de
as saying.
(va / dpa) * Merkur.de is part of the Ippen digital network.
