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Return to normal? Israel largely abolishes the Green Passport

2022-02-07T10:38:36.724Z


Return to normal? Israel largely abolishes the Green Passport Created: 2022-02-07 11:32 am By: Nail Akkoyun Despite the increasing number of corona cases, Israel is largely abolishing the Green Passport. © Avdo Bilkanovic/Imago Images Although the Omicron variant in Israel causes extremely high numbers of corona cases, the government has largely abolished the green passport. Jerusalem – In Is


Return to normal?

Israel largely abolishes the Green Passport

Created: 2022-02-07 11:32 am

By: Nail Akkoyun

Despite the increasing number of corona cases, Israel is largely abolishing the Green Passport.

© Avdo Bilkanovic/Imago Images

Although the Omicron variant in Israel causes extremely high numbers of corona cases, the government has largely abolished the green passport.

Jerusalem – In Israel*, more and more people suffering from Corona* are burdening the hospitals.

There are currently more than 1,250 people, a personal record for little Israel since the beginning of the pandemic.

Although employees now have experience with the virus, they are exhausted after around two years.

The seven-day incidence is decreasing but is still 3943.5 (as of 02/07/2022).

In addition, 300 people died in connection with a Covid-19 infection within a week.

Values ​​that are sometimes more than twice as high as in Germany - and that with a population of only around 9.2 million people.

Corona pandemic: Omicron wave has already peaked in Israel

"It's not like it was at the beginning of the pandemic," Yoram Weiss, director of the hospital, told Reuters.

“Back then, everyone still had energy.

Today they are very tired.” Some departments have now been closed and the number of operations reduced.

"In the internal medicine departments, we have reduced the number of patients so that more staff are available for the Covid patients."

Despite this, the government has decided to abolish the Green Passport in many areas.

Similar to a 2G certificate in Germany, this has so far served as an entry ticket into public life.

However, in addition to people who had been vaccinated and recovered from Corona, people who had been tested also received the Green Passport, albeit with different expiration dates.

Hagai Levine, epidemiologist at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, can understand this step well.

According to initial data, infection with the omicron variant is also possible after three or even four vaccinations.

This is a good reason "to rely less on the 'Green Passport'." In addition, it is assumed in Israel that the omicron wave* peaked about two weeks ago. 

Corona in Israel: the public is now “responsible for itself”

“Can we continue to force people to get tested all the time?

No,” Levine said.

“Public health is about people making their own choices.

If someone is a risk patient and still wants to go to the theater: Okay, then they should be allowed to go.

We don't underestimate the risks.

We just believe that the public is responsible for itself.”

The corona proof should only be retained in so-called high-risk areas, including old people’s and nursing homes.

The Green Passport in Israel should also continue to be used for large gatherings, such as wedding celebrations.

However, from Monday (February 7th, 2022) everyone is allowed in restaurants, cinemas or museums, without any proof of vaccination or test.

Criticism of Corona plans in Israel: Experts see a lack of vaccination incentive

The government's new approach has also met with criticism.

Experts pointed out that the incentive to get vaccinated could disappear with the relaxed measures.

But even before that, the supposed vaccination world champion Israel was falling further and further behind in vaccination numbers.

Doctor Hagai Levine explained that while there is corona fatigue among medical staff in Israel, they will not give up.

One should not make the mistake of becoming careless now: “The government must make it clear to the public that the situation is still dangerous.

That people have to be careful.” (nak)

*fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-02-07

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