On the way to expanding the vaccination campaign?
The director general of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Nachman Ash, held a press briefing today (Thursday), saying with concern: "I am afraid of the aggravation despite the new restrictions that have been approved."
Prof. Ash is concerned: "I hope the new measures will be effective" // Photo: GPO
Prof. Ash said in his opening remarks: "The number of verified ones reaches new heights every day and the situation is certainly worrying. The Cabinet approved a number of measures yesterday and we hope they will be effective. We must not remain indifferent to the disease data, : Wearing a mask, a green mark, keeping insulation - you can manage to get through it together.
He added: "So far, over 700,000 people over the age of 60 have been vaccinated in the third dose, but there is still a long way to go to make the move. There are another million people who have not yet been vaccinated with the first vaccine - go out and get vaccinated."
"The State of Israel is the pioneer in the world in administering the third vaccine, so we want to examine the vaccine dose for younger ages as well - and the decision will be made seriously and after many considerations."
"The school year is planned to open as a series" // Photo: Liron Moldovan - Archive,
On the flights to Uman on Rosh Hashanah, he said: "The travel route to Uman is being formulated - we are based on the familiar route to countries that are not allowed to fly to - and most countries are those that are allowed to fly to but need to go back in isolation from them - and Ukraine is within this group."
"All those leaving for Uman will have to undergo a pre-flight check-up and the second thing we organize to carry it out is to perform speed checks before boarding a plane from Ukraine and identify verified persons before returning to Israel."
Prof. Ash spoke on the background of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's directive to the HMOs to prepare for the expansion of the third dose operation for populations under the age of 60. In the evening, the Epidemic Treatment Team (ZTM) will convene to discuss the issue.
In addition, against the background of the increase in morbidity, there are attempts to increase the capacity of hospitals and the medical system, in order to prevent closure.
Israel Today reports that there is a "secret agreement" between Bennett and the hospital directors.
Will flights to Uman be allowed on Rosh Hashanah?
// Photo: Yehuda Peretz,
Under this agreement, hospital administrators undertook not to report, warn or interview the media about hospital insufficiency in treating corona patients in critical condition and other patients in critical condition, regardless of the actual situation in the hospitals and the level of patient care.
This emerges from conversations with five senior directors of large hospitals in the country, some of whom were personally involved in an agreement between the Ministry of Health and the government.
The prime minister vehemently denied the allegations.
Cabinet Decisions: Green Character Expansion and Crowd Restrictions
Applying the "green mark" outline to all sectors of the economy, except malls and commerce.
The green mark will be applied from the age of 3, and payment for the tests will be made according to the following outline:
• Ages 0-3: Exemptions
• Ages 3-12: State-funded tests without restriction starting August 18, 2021
• Ages 12 and up: privately funded tests (only for those who are not vaccinated by choice)
* The date of entry into force of the extended green mark will be on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 10 Elul 5771, subject to the approval of the relevant regulations.
Entrance to gyms for those with a green badge only // Photo: Liron Moldovan,
- Applying the "purple character" layout in malls and shops, by limiting occupancy by one person per 7 meters.
Stores up to 100 meters in size will be excluded, and the purple mark will not be applied to them.
* The date of entry into force of the extended purple character will be on Monday, August 16, 2021, 8 Elul 5771, subject to the approval of the relevant regulations.
Crowd restrictions at mass events
1. Events without seating are marked:
- In a closed space - up to 1,000 people will be allowed to enter.
- In an open space - up to 5,000 people will be allowed to enter.
2. Events with marked seats - unlimited, according to the green sign.
3. In the case of events in private homes and the like (where no green mark applies), the gathering limit will be set as follows:
- In a closed place - up to 50 people
- In an open place - up to 100 people
* The date of entry into force of the restrictions will be on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 10 Elul 5771, subject to the approval of the relevant regulations.