Corona Virus: Israel returns to restrictions. Unvaccinated people will pay for the tests

Israel appeared to be defeating the COVID-19 pandemic after a successful vaccination campaign, when new infections fell to a dozen in June. However, because of the outbreak in the country more contagious delta variable The government decided to reimpose restrictions to stem the increase in infections.

The Green Passage System, which restricts access to facilities for people vaccinated against COVID-19, convalescents or holders of valid negative SARS-CoV-2 tests, will be introduced on August 18 at the entrance to restaurants, hotels, museums, libraries, swimming pools, gyms, universities and sporting and cultural events conferences and exhibitions.

The restriction will apply to all persons over 3 years of age. Children under 12 who are not currently eligible for immunization will be able to get a free express test. Any unvaccinated person over the age of 12 will have to pay for the test.

small parties

From August 16, stores will be able to accommodate one customer per seven square meters, and participation in group events will reach 1,000. People in a confined space and up to 5 thousand. Outdoors, and on special occasions for 50 and 100 people respectively.

There are opinions of experts advising the government that only expand the powers to The third dose of the vaccine Channel 12 television reported that for all people over the age of 40, it could prevent the collapse of the healthcare system in September.

Currently, only Israelis over the age of 60 who are immunocompromised (such as transplant recipients) can receive a booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech.

Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett allocated NIS 2.5 billion (3 billion PLN) to increase the number of places in hospitals across the country to prepare for the mass hospitalization situation.

More and more infections

Despite a swift vaccination campaign in Israel, the number of new cases has risen in recent weeks. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health recorded 5,000 cases. 755 new infections, the highest daily number since February, and the number of serious cases increased from 19 in mid-June to 400.

At least 6000 and 580 Israelis have died from the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic. More than 58 percent of the country’s 9.3 million citizens have received two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. 650,000 The third dose has already been administered.