Israel Imposes Further Limitations to Curb Spread of Corona; 298 Patients Diagnosed with Virus

Jerusalem, 17 March, 2020 (TPS) -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday evening announced another list of limitations on the Israeli economy and society which are meant to combat the spread of Coronavirus.

With 298 Corona patients and after imposing restrictions on Saturday night, Netanyahu stated that only necessary workers were to go to work and that workplaces should not admit more than 30% of its workforce to the offices and factories while the rest should work from home.

Public transportation was further limited and scaled back.

The public sector will transition into an emergency status while essential services will remain in full format, including security, banking, food markets, mail, garbage disposal and ports.

Part of the public will be put on leave without pay for the next month.

“Our struggle against the Coronavirus is continuing all the time. In many countries, there has been a sharp increase in the number of patients and in the number of deaths. Our heart is with Italy and Spain, with the Jewish communities there and with whoever has been adversely affected by the virus,” Netanyahu stated during a press conference.

The Cabinet approved emergency regulations enabling the Shin Bet security service to use of digital means to tack Corona patients, means usually employed in counterterrorism, which Netanyahu said “will greatly assist us in locating patients and thereby stop the spread of the virus.”

“With us in Israel, there has been a moderate increase in morbidity, and we are doing everything so that it remains under control. The State of Israel is continuing to be ahead of the vast majority of countries in taking determined and responsible steps and in cooperation with you, citizens of Israel,” he added.

Shopping malls and places of entertainment were already shut down a few days ago.

In summary, Netanyahu said that “the public sector is contracting, the private sector is contracting, and essential services are continuing as usual.”

“The powerful partnership between government and citizens and our profound brotherhood are a great source of strength and spirit in the fight against the Corona epidemic. Together we will stand, and together with God’s help, we will win this fight, even if it takes time,” he concluded.

These measures are aimed primarily at curbing the spread of the virus.

Of the 298 patients, four are in serious condition, about a dozen are in moderate condition and the rest are in light condition. Most of the patients are hospitalized and some are at home. Four have recovered. Some are receiving experimental treatments.

The novel Coronavirus COVID-19 is affecting 162 countries around the world.

At least 183,000 cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed worldwide, including at least 7,200 deaths. Some 80,000 have recovered.