Enlarge image
At the beginning of the month, many Israelis went shopping without a mask, like here at a market in Jerusalem
Photo: MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP
Due to the persistently low number of new corona infections, Israel is lifting the mask requirement in the country.
A few exceptions remain, however: unvaccinated visitors and employees in health and care facilities still have to wear masks, as well as people who are on their way to their quarantine, or passengers and staff in airplanes.
The Ministry of Health announced this.
The country with nine million inhabitants has been successfully implementing a vaccination campaign since December 19.
Almost 5.5 million people have already received a first vaccination and more than 5.1 million a second vaccination.
According to the Ministry of Health, only four new cases were registered within 24 hours on Monday.
As of June 1, Israel had largely lifted the state corona measures.
Since then there has been no mask requirement in the open air.
Recently, however, many Israelis went into shops without a mask.
Experts also warn that new variants could be brought in from abroad.
Discussion about abolition also sparked in Germany
In this country too, a possible relaxation of the mask requirement has been discussed for a few days.
Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn recently said that he could envision a gradual end to the measure.
The abolition of the mask requirement outdoors is initially conceivable, the indoor areas could then follow in regions with very low incidence and high vaccination rates.
However, experts urge caution.
In the opinion of scientists, a too rapid lifting of the mask requirement could trigger a fourth wave.
Especially indoors, masks are still important for protection against more contagious mutations of the virus.
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and some regions of Saxony, schoolchildren are allowed to sit in class without a mask.
Bavaria also announced that the measure would soon be relaxed, at least outdoors.
dpa / nek