Coronavirus Israel: July daily updates.

12-18 July

17 July - 7:47am

• 1,871 cases of the Coronavirus were diagnosed, in Israel yesterday. A total of 46,059 cases have been diagnosed since the onset of the pandemic. Israel has 25,305 active cases of the coronavirus. 202 are in serious or critical condition, 58 of them are intubated. The total death rate in this country as a direct result of the coronavirus has climbed to 384 - 8 additional deaths in the last 24 hours - Worldometer
• The government approves new restrictions

From 5pm this afternoon (JPost)

• Gatherings of 10 people in closed spaces or 20 people in open spaces
• Gyms and studios used for sports or dance activities (except for use by competitive athletes) - closed
• Restaurants: for takeaway and deliveries only
• Workplace cafeterias for pickup only
• Government offices will cut 50% of their staff who will continue to work outside the office or will be placed on leave
• Public reception at government offices also to be reduced.

• From next weekend beaches will be closed (this weekend they will remain open)
• Stores, malls, retail markets, hairdressers, beauty salons, libraries, zoos, museums, pools and other tourist attractions will be closed. Grocery stores, pharmacies and those deemed 'essential' will remain open, optical stores and computer and communications repair shops will also remain open. Hotel pools with accessibility to guests only can operate.
• Hotel restaurants will be able to continue operating at 35% capacity.
• The decision with regards to summer camps and other educational programs has been postponed until some time next week. Netanyahu, Gantz, finance-, health- and education-ministers still to deliberate.

Shabbat candle lighting times

16 July - 17:55pm

• IDF Maj.-Gen. Amir Abuafia appointed as the new head of Israel's coronavirus authority
• The chairman of the Israeli Public Health Physicians Association Prof. Hagai Levine criticized the government's expected decision to lock down certain areas to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, saying that "if a sweeping decision is made to lockdown on weekends or prevent access to open spaces, it does not make epidemiological sense."  - JPost

16 July - 15:00pm

Urgent Knesset meeting to discuss weekend lockdowns - final approval expected this evening

• Lockdowns will commence Friday morning and end Sunday morning
• Gatherings of 20 people in open spaces and no more than 10 in closed spaces (including houses of worship)
• Restaurants - not sit down dining, deliveries only
• Beaches and malls will be closed 
• All summer camps will be closed beginning Sunday.
• Public transport may also be affected

The Israeli head of the World Medical Association, Professor Leonid Eidelman said Thursday that another nationwide lockdown would be the government's admission that it has failed in the battle against coronavirus. - YNet

16 July - 7:27am

• 1,828 cases of the Coronavirus were diagnosed, in Israel, on Wednesday. A total of 44,188 cases have been diagnosed since the onset of the pandemic. Israel has 23,923 active cases of the coronavirus. 205 are in serious or critical condition, 57 of them are intubated. The total death rate in this country as a direct result of the coronavirus has climbed tot 376 - 5 additional deaths in the last 24 hours - Worldometer
• Netanyahu: People are getting infected because they do not observe the directives (masks and social distancing) at demonstrations.  "It's simply a disaster".
• Benny Gantz: The statistics for Corona are growing - we do not want to get to a situation where we have to go back into lockdown. A lockdown will only happen once every other avenue has been explored.
• Yuli Edelstein: If there isn't a miracle in the next few days, we will be in lockdown.
• The Ministry of Health: Those who do not present symptoms of the coronavirus will not be eligible for the virus test. (In other words - asymptomic patients  will not get tested and sick people will continue to infect others)
• Bibi Netanyahu and Yisrael Katz, last night, announced details of the latest stipend to be paid to citizens:
  • Families with 3 or more children will receive 3,000NIS
  • Families with 2 children will receive 2,5000NIS
  • Families with 1 child will receive 2,000NIS
  • All others, over the age of 18 can expect to receive a 750NIS grant
  • The grant is to be paid within days via Bituach Leumi
• Reaction to the plan - mostly strong criticism - it is not effective and will hurt the economy
  
  • Ministers from the Blue and White Party called the program “populism instead of real help,”
  • Itzik Shmuli, Minister of Welfare, “it would be better for helicopters to take that cash and scatter the money where they really need it instead of throwing it from the clouds.”.
  • Moshe Gafni, MK, United Torah Judaism: "Why do we have to give money to the rich?"
  • Yoav Hendel, MK, Supports the pumping of funds into the economy but "Compensation should be given to those who are most in need"
  • Keren Turner, Director General of the Finance Ministry is against the latest plan
  • Meretz MK Tamar Zandberg praises Netanyahu: "The grant is the right thing to do, and it’s right that it be universal. It will give families money to spend on a shrinking economy and businesses that need it.”
  • Shaul Meridor, head of the Finance Ministry’s budget division, warned in a heated exchange: “This is not a very smart way to distribute money. We need to be careful not to become Venezuela,” Netanyahu calls for his dismissal. (Shaul is the son of MK Dan Meridor)
• Police do not give approval for demonstration in Tel Aviv on Saturday night.  Their official response "It's a public health hazard"

15 July - 7:21am

• 1,728 cases of the Coronavirus were diagnosed, in Israel, on Tuesday. A total of 42,360 cases have been diagnosed since the onset of the pandemic. Israel has 22,324 active cases of the coronavirus. 183 are in serious or critical condition, 56 of them are intubated. The total death rate in this country as a direct result of the coronavirus has climbed tot 371 - Worldometer
• The unemployment rate now stands at 21% - N12
• Violent outbursts at the "Black Flags" demonstration in Jerusalem last night in front of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu's official residence on Balfour St.  Crowds were brought under control with water cannons. Protestors call on Netanyahu to resign.
• Senior members of the MOH: We are days away from lockdown.
• Possible restrictions Israel mulls limiting gatherings to 10 people, shuttering restaurants and synagogues. :
• Thousands of small business owners receive a grant this morning - for the majority it is nowhere near the 7,500NIS cap that was promised.  It will be much harder for most to get the next grant as eligibility is narrowed.
• Scientists at Hebrew U and Mount Sinai Medical Center experts claimed in a new research that the FDA-approved drug called "Fenofibrate" (Tricor), used to treat high cholesterol, could make the effects of COVID-19 feel like a common cold or eradicate it from the lungs altogether. - YNet
  
• International news
  • Hot-spot South Africa overtakes the UK with 298,292 total number of corona cases -10,496 cases were diagnosed there yesterday
  • Italian company Moderna claiming promising  results with their corona vaccine.  All going well, they claim that they will be able to supply a billion doses of the vaccine in 2021.

14 July - 7:58am

• We start our morning with Worldometer's latest figures for Israel: 1,962 cases were diagnosed in Israel yesterday. A total of 40,632 cases of the coronavirus have been diagnosed since the onset of the pandemic. Israel has 20,872 active cases of the coronavirus. 183 are in serious or critical condition - a significant jump since Monday, 54 of them are intubated. The total death rate in this country as a direct result of the coronavirus has climbed tot 365.
• Ministry of Health are troubled by the reopening of public swimming pools and fitness centers today - they are central points of infection
• The MOH: There is no escaping another lockdown.
• Small business owners are outraged by the actual amount of the grant they are supposed to receive by Wednesday.  Only 1/3rd will see the full amount of 7,500 NIS, 1/3rd will see about 3,000 NIS, and the rest will be amounts in between or even less than that.  A second demonstration on Saturday night is being called for.
• The elite IDF intelligence unit - 8200, reports 100 coronavirus patients within the unit - soldiers and officers.  It is understood that many of them were infected while on army leave.
• Coronavirus Committee Chairwoman MK Yifat Shasha-Biton (Likud) facing disciplinary action following her refusal to accept the Health Ministry's recommendation to keep pools and gyms closed.
• International News:
  • WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus "I want to be straight with you: there will be no return to the 'old normal' for the foreseeable future,"
  • Total number of cases diagnosed worldwide now stands at 13,240,427 with just under 5 million active cases. The world death rate is just under 600,000.
    
    

13 July - 6:30am

• 1,206 cases were diagnosed, in Israel, on Sunday. A total of 38,670 cases of the coronavirus have been diagnosed since the onset of the pandemic. Israel has 19,300 active cases of the coronavirus. 151 are in serious or critical condition, 47 of them are intubated. The total death rate in this country as a direct result of the coronavirus has climbed tot 362 - Worldometer
• The unemployment rate rises to 21%  (the peak in April was 27.6%) - N12
• 400,000 self employed and small business owners receive confirmation by SMS that they are to receive a grant by Wednesday. The message reads "On Wednesday 15.7.20 your account will be credited with a grant in an amount as decided by the government". The maximum grant is 7,500 NIS but the average is far less.
• President of Bank of Israel: The economic plan will result in the worst deficit since the 1980's
• The Corona Cabinet to meet this afternoon to discuss lifting some of the latest restrictions. Latest statistics show that very small numbers of people are infected in gyms,swimming pools and bars.
• Senior members in the government to the Chairman of the Corona Cabinet: "If you cut back on restrictions, lockdowns will return"
• After all had been closed, three Corona hotels to open again on Tuesday
• Excessive police enforcement reported within the Haredi community during a coronavirus lockdown protest in Jerusalem. Police are denying these claims saying "the police act with equal enforcement regardless of the sector."
• A Channel 13 poll:
  • 75% felt that the country was not handling the economic crisis well, 16% said that is was being dealt with well and 9% had no opinion
  • 61% are not satisfied with the Prime Minister's handling of the corona crisis, 19% are fairly satisfied and 15% are completely satisfied.
  • 38% are very fearful of financial instability while 48% have some concerns
  • The country has lost faith in the emergency government and the Prime Minister

12 July - 7:09am

• In the last week more than 7,000 new coronavirus cases were diagnosed in Israel and of them 1,198 cases were diagnosed on Saturday. A total of 37,464 cases of the coronavirus have been diagnosed since the onset of the pandemic. Israel has 18,296 active cases of the coronavirus. 134 are in serious or critical condition, 49 of them are intubated (10 more than on Friday). The total death rate in Israel as a direct result of the coronavirus now stands at 354. - Worldometer
• Thousands protest against the economic plight of the self-employed in a demonstration in Rabin Square,Tel Aviv on Saturday night.  Hundreds blocked roads and demonstrated in the streets of Tel Aviv. During the demonstration 19 people were arrested and 3 policemen were slightly injured
• The new economic plan presented by the Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu and Minister of Finance, Yisrael Katz is to be brought to the Knesset for discussion today.
• The first stage of the economic plan is to give the self-employed another grant of up to 7,500 NIS.  The payment will be made between Sunday and Wednesday
• Laboratories are collapsing and not coping with coronavirus testing demands.  From today the Ministry of Health to cut down on testing.  Health Funds are making it harder to get tested which means that people will continue to be infected but many will go undiagnosed.
• Diaspora news:
  • Number of cases in South Africa double in the past two weeks.  Medical grade oxygen and oxygen concentrators are being bought up by private businesses and individuals
  • Florida, USA, daily new cases have nearly doubled and intensive care capacity is full at more than 40 hospitals across the state
  • Victoria, Australia back in lockdown. Australians returnng home will be charged for a compulsory two-week hotel quarantine.
  • The number of new cases in the United Kingdom remains below 1,000 per day for the last two weeks
  • Canada - 27,308 active cases

5-11 July

10 July - 7:30am

• 1,268 new cases of the covid-19 pathogen were diagnosed in Israel yesterday. A total of 34,825 cases of the coronavirus have been diagnosed since the onset of the pandemic. Israel has 15,903 active cases of the coronavirus. 122 are in serious or critical condition, 39 of them are intubated. The total death rate in Israel as a direct result of the coronavirus now stands at 348. - Worldometer
• The latest plan to save the economy includes:
  • Extending the unemployment benefit until June 2021
  • Immediate grant to self-employed of up to 7,500 NIS (as early as next week)
  • 6,000 NIS assistance for businesses every two months
  • Up to 500,000NIS for large businesses.
• A week-long curfew to commence today at 13:00 in selected neighborhoods in Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Kiryat Malachi, Lod and Ramlah  Entry and exit to these cities and towns will be limited as well as business as traffic activity.
  
  • In Jerusalem, the neighborhoods of Romema, Kiryat Sanz and Matersdorf
  • Beit Shemesh, the areas of Nahala and K’ne Habosem
  • Lod, Ganei Ya’ar and Sach
  • Ramlah, Amidar Beilav;
  • Kiryat Malachi, the Rotner area and Chabad neighborhood.

Shabbat candle lighting times

9 July - 15:05pm

• Curfews on the cards for: Jerusalem, Kiryat Malachi, Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh, Raanana, Modiin llit, Ramlah, Lod and Ashdod
• Number of sick residents in these cities and towns: - JPost
  • Jerusalem: 2,085
  • Modi’in Illit: 234
  • Ramlah: 211
  • Beit Shemesh: 277
  • Lod: 225
  • Kiryat Malachi: 149
  • Bnei Brak: 1,109
  • Ashdod: 826
  • Raanana: 164

9 July - 6:32 am

• The Israel Ministry of Health reports that as of 11pm on Wednesday there are:1014 new coronavirus cases in Israel.There are 14,875 active cases out of the 33,557 total number of cases.  There are 113 people who are in serious or critical condition and of then 39 are being ventilated. Two new deaths have been reported bringing the total to 344.who have succumbed to the virus.
• Worldometer reports as at 03:25 GMT today (6:25am IL) - Israel has 1,335 new cases. (IAnglo-List mostly reports Worldometer statistics as they are the most up-to-date)
• The presentation of the latest financial aid package for self-employed entrepreneurs and those who are unemployed has been postponed. It was reported on Channel 13 that the reason for the postponement was discourse between the politicians.  At the center of the package is the extension of unemployment benefits and grants until June 2021.  The package is similar to the previous one but extends further into the future. The 4 core elements of the plan which is now expected to be presented this afternoon, are:
  • Extending unemployment benefits until July 2021
  • A grant to self-employed of up to 15,000
  • Government loans to be increased by 23 billion shekels.
  • Freezing mortgages
• A massive demonstration is scheduled by the unemployed and self-employed at Rabin Square on Saturday night.
• The Ministry of Education announces 3 alternative plans for the start of the 2020/2021 academic year on 1 September 2020.
  • Plan 1 (the best case scenario - depending on infection levels)
    • Kindergartens and lowest grades to open with increased tools for protecting the children
    • Middle and high-schools: half the week at home and the other half on campus
  • Plan 2
    • Kindergartens as usual with classes of up to 30 - 35 children
    • Grade 1 - Grade 4 to be divided into small study groups
    • From the 5th Grade - remote learning
  • Plan 3 (in the worst case scenario)
    • Only 15 - 18 kindergarten children per group
• There has been an increase of 60% in the number of requests, in Israel, for food assistance since the start of the corona crisis.
• International news:  The USA sees its worst day yet - more than 60,000 new cases diagnosed yesterday.  Global coronavirus cases top 12 million.

8 July - 5:25 am

• A massive spike in the number of new cases - 1,473 new cases of the covid-19 pathogen were diagnosed in Israel yesterday - the highest ever. A total of 32,222 cases of the coronavirus have been diagnosed since the onset of the pandemic. Israel has 13,567 active cases of the coronavirus. Eighty six are in serious or critical condition (2 less than yesterday), 34 of them are intubated. There were 8 new deaths bringing the total death rate to 342 in Israel as a direct result of the coronavirus. - Worldometer
• 751 fines were issued yesterday for non compliance of the face-mask directive. - N12
• Prof. Sigal Sadetsky, head of Public Health at the Health Ministry, resigns her position and warns of difficult or even tragic months ahead, as management of the second wave of coronavirus, in Israel, is plagued by frivolous, unsubstantiated and populist decision-making.  She accused the government of “making frivolous and unsubstantiated decisions, without considering their widespread and long-term public health implications.” - JPost
• Six residents of a retirement house in Kiryat Bialik tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday.
• Commencing Wednesday at13.00pm, Beiter Illit becomes a restricted zone for the next 7 days. In the last 3 days, 51 new cases of the coronavirus where diagnosed there.
• PM, Netanyahu blames the Tax Authority for not transferring financial aid to businesses.
• Israel Hayom reports that it has obtained figures from the Corona National Information and Knowledge Center that reveal that most of the virus spread has occurred in people's homes as a result of contact with a sick family member, rather than in public. Another 10.3% were exposed at schools, yeshivas, and universities, while 5.8% were exposed to it at medical facilities. Another 3.9% were exposed to the virus at an event or conference, while 2.2%, or 198 individuals, were exposed at synagogues. Another 2% were exposed to the virus at shopping centers or in stores. According to the corona center data, only 1.8% of confirmed cases were exposed at leisure venues.
• Diaspora News
  • Brazil has the second highest rate of infection in the world, following the USA. How is Rio de Janiero's Jewish community handling the coronavirus?  The Reform synagogue live streams the Friday evening Shabbat service and their 'zoom minyan' boasts about 500 people. - JPost

7 July - 10:00am

• The bus directive has been delayed and will only come into effect tomorrow. - Wednesday.  Air-conditioners are to remain operational. The allowed number of passengers remains the same.

7 July - 5:27 am

• 791 new cases of the covid-19 pathogen were diagnosed in Israel yesterday. A total of 30,749 cases of the coronavirus have been diagnosed since the onset of the pandemic. Israel has 12,271 active cases of the coronavirus. Eighty eight are in serious or critical condition (2 more than yesterday), 35 of them are intubated (8 more than yesterday). There were 3 new deaths bringing the total death rate to 334 in Israel as a direct result of the coronavirus. - Worldometer
• Yesterday 1,564 fines were issued for non compliance of the mask wearing directive
• New bill allowing coronavirus decisions to bypass Knesset voted into law yesterday.
• Reminder of the new restrictions
  • Event halls, clubs and bars - closed
  • Restaurants - up to 20 people sitting inside, up to 30 outside
  • Synagogues -  up to 19 people
  • Gyms and public pools - closed
  • Cultural performances - closed
  • Organized sporting events - without fans
  • Hotels and tourism - clubs and bars closed, hotel restaurants 20 people (closed seating)
  • Summer camps - closed for children over fourth grade
  • Buses - up to 20 people per bus, with windows open and no air-conditioning
  • Gatherings - up to 20 people, two meters apart with masks
  • Government offices - 30% of staff required to work from home

6 July - 15:50pm

After the coronavirus cabinet meeting this morning, the following restrictions are to come into effect  upon government approval. The bill will be passed for approval of the Knesset plenum immediately.  The full list of restrictions is as follows:

1. Event halls, clubs and bars - closed
2. Restaurants - up to 20 people sitting inside, up to 30 outside
3. Synagogues -  up to 19 people
4. Gyms and public pools - closed
5. Cultural performances - closed
6. Organized sporting events - without fans
7. Hotels and tourism - clubs and bars closed, hotel restaurants 20 people (closed seating)
8. Summer camps - closed for children over fourth grade
9. Buses - up to 20 people per bus, with windows open and no air-conditioning
10. Gatherings - up to 20 people, two meters apart with masks
11. Government offices - 30% of staff required to work from home

• A bill to increase the fine for not wearing a mask, from 200NIS to 500NIS, must pass in the Knesset plenum to become law. It is expected to come to a vote by this evening. The National Security Council insisted on the fine being raised substantially to help ensure compliance. 
• Yeshivot are to remain open. 
• Lockdown is on the cards next week if immediate and drastic steps are not taken.

6 July - 5:53am

• Sunday 788 new cases of the covid-19 pathogen were diagnosed in Israel. There are 11,677 active cases of the coronavirus in this country. Eighty six are in serious or critical condition, 27 of them are intubated. There have been 331 deaths in Israel as a direct result of the coronavirus. - Worldometer
• New restrictions expected today after cabinet meeting which include limiting number of diners in restaurants to 50 people, new restrictions on theaters, clubs and cinemas, and 500NIS fine for not wearing a mask
• From today:celebratory gatherings and prayer services limited to 50 people
• Amid fear of another lockdown, supermarkets and food outlets report a significant increase in food sales; meat, canned goods, fruit and vegetables
• A significant rise in appeals to food banks for food packages
• Controversial Shin Bet phone surveillance system sends thousands of Israelis into quarantine. The Jerusalem Post reports that tens of thousands of citizens received text messages warning them to quarantine, but many of the messages seem to be demonstrable mistakes. The article continued to explain how inadequate staffing in the Health Ministry resulted in many citizens complaining that they spent hours waiting on hold to try to clarify their situation,  Many experts believe that the Shin Bet tool, even if superior to other tools in terms of identifying more potentially infected persons, has substantial holes in identifying false positives.
• Two aid packages on the table for EL AL Israel airlines: 1) $400 million in bank loans guaranteed by the state or EL AL issuing $43 million worth of shares requiring capital from controlling shareholders - YNet
• Walla reports that university entrance psychometric exams have been pushed off midway as a new directive allows for remote testing only and does not allow student testing on campus.
• Unemployment rate rises slightly and as of yesterday, 20.9% of Israelis are now unemployed.
• IDF combat soldiers to be allowed home every 21 days and will have restrictions placed on them to minimize their contact with civilians. - JPost
• International news:
  • India overtakes Russia to become third worst-hit country in the world.  India reported almost 24,000 new cases in the last 24 hours
  • 8,773 new cases diagnosed in South Africa yesterday
  • Australia begins to see a rise again with 87 new cases diagnosed on Sunday.

5 July - 3:10pm

• Netanyahu: "We are in a state of emergency, we cannot delay the legislation [on adopting virus measures], we must move forward with it to stop the spread," he said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting. "We will have to state steps beyond what was agreed upon during the coronavirus cabinet [meeting] last week." - YNet
• Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kisch tells coronavirus committee that Israel is in 'a war of attrition' against COVID-19; government's top medical adviser recommends urgently closing restaurants, beaches and parks; 'Of course, restaurants will be closed,' says one minister - YNet

5 July - 06:20am

• A shocking number of over 2,200 people tested positive for the coronavirus this weekend in Israel. These figures way surpass Israel's previous record day on April 2nd when 765 new cases were diagnosed.

• There are nearly 11,000 active cases of the coronavirus in Israel. Eighty four are in serious or critical condition, 32 of them are intubated. There have been 330 deaths in Israel as a direct result of the coronavirus. - Worldometer
• Israel PM, Bibi Netanyahu: "You can't hug your grandfather and grandmother now".  He went on to say that we must all protect everyone in a high risk group.
• Researchers from Racah Institute of Physics and Hebrew U warn that more than 100 deaths due to Covid-19 may occur in coming weeks. With Israel's current infections rate the country's health system could collapse in 2 weeks which would lead to a complete shutdown of the nation. A steep rise in hospitalizations over the next 10 days is inevitable. - Globes
• Starting today all exams for higher education now to be taken online and not on campus
• Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) areas of Jerusalem are becoming hot spots for the coronavirus,  Some 37% of Jerusalem’s coronavirus patients are in the following neighborhoods: Ramot, Kiryat Sanz-Belz, Geula, Neve Yaakov, Mea She’arim, Tel Arza, Mahanayim, Ramot Bet, Har Nof, Habukharim, Makor Baruch, Kiryat Mattersdorf, Givat Hamivtar and Sanhedria Murhevet. The number of infected people there is doubling every four days; nationally, the number is doubling every seven days. - JPost
• CEO of Ben-Gurion Airport says that Israel’s aviation industry is on the brink of collapse because of the coronavirus outbreak.
• Tzachi Hanegbi apologizes for his comment - "it's bull-$%^! that some Israelis don't have food".  His comment was made on Channel 12' program 'Ofira and Berko' on Friday evening.
• Globes - the unemployment rate in Israel is currently at 21%, with over 800,000 Israelis jobless, up from under 4% before the start of the pandemic.

3 July - 06:27am

• Channel 13 reports: A total of 27,047 coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in Israel since the beginning of the pandemic. There are currently 9,176 active cases in Israel. On Thursday 690  new cases were diagnosed.  Sixty five are in serious condition and 25 of them are being ventilated.  There have been 324 deaths to date. More than 21,000 tests were carried out yesterday.
• Two Channel 13 TV presenters in isolation after being exposed to a guest with the coronavirus.
• Cities and towns with highest infection rate:Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Ashdod, Bat Yam, Petach Tikva, Holon, Beitar Elit, Dimona, Rahat and Rishon LeZion.
• 6 neighborhoods in Ashdod still under closure this morning.
• P.M. Bibi Netanyahu announces new restrictions amidst the rise in new corona cases,
  • A maximum of 20 people in a closed space, effective from 8am this morning.
  • Houses of prayer, function halls and gardens, bars and clubs: up to 50 people effective from Sunday, July 5th
  • No restrictions on restaurants, the workplace, shopping malls, shops, transport or tourism
• Netanyahu to announce a stimulus plan for the next 6 months - details not yet available
• Netanyahu also wants to introduce a law where new restrictions can be introduced immediately without prior Knesset approval.
• Israel's MOH fears a dramatic increase of seriously ill patients.
• This weekend police patrols to be stepped up. To date around 20,000 fines have been issued to violators of corona directives
• Shabbat candle lighting times

2 July - 14:19pm

• The Health Ministry is set to demand from coronavirus cabinet Thursday afternoon, to limit all public gatherings, including places of worship, to 20 people; from now on, IDF soldiers are allowed to use the railway only on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. - Ynet

2 July - 06:43am

• A total of 26,257 coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in Israel since the beginning of the pandemic. On Tuesday a record of 868  new cases were diagnosed.  Fifty eight are in serious condition and 25 of them are being ventilated.  There have been 322 deaths to date. - N12
  
• 17,980 corona tests were carried out yesterday and almost 5% of these test returned positive.
• Week long lockdown in the following areas. Restrictions which come into effect today at 8am and will continue for one week.
  • Lod; Shkunat Harekevet, Shneer and Neve Shalom & Ashdod: Aleph, Gimmel and Chet
    • Limited access - entry and exit to these neighborhoods is restricted
    • Limited activity and business activity
  • Beitar Ellit:
    • limitations on public gatherings as well as activities within education institutions
• 53 Knesset members vote in favour of SHABAK system to track corona infected citizens - 38 vote against. The tracking system will be in use for 3 weeks and not as previously suggested for 3 months.A long-term bill is still under debate.
• The bill states that the Shin Bet will not contact a patient or any of their contacts and will not engage or assist in monitoring or enforcing the self-isolation of a patient or their contacts.In addition, the Shin Bet and the Health Ministry will submit a weekly report to Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on their activities and the nature of the information obtained under the authorities bestowed on the Shin Bet by the law. -YNet
• Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a corona diagnostic kit said to be one of the most accurate in the world.
• More people out of work in all sectors.  Finance Minister Yisrael Katz says that jobs in the public sector will be affected too.
• Nine hundred workers in Israel's aviation industry sent home yesterday
• The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) and the Labor and Social Services Ministry collaborated to set up emergency funds (totaling $1.74 million) in 140 municipalities across Israel to help cope with the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. - JPost
• Prof. Zeev Rotstein, Hadassah-University Medical Center’s director-general: "Because Israel does not randomly screen people, the country cannot easily and quickly enough identify and separate the infected people who are asymptomatic, so they continue to spread the disease."

1 July - 06:21

• A total of 25,244 coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in Israel. On Monday 803  new cases were diagnosed.  Fifty two are in serious condition and 24 of them are being ventilated.  There have been 320 deaths to date. - Worldometer
• The unemployment rate stands at 21.1% which is a 0.1% drop since the last published figure on June 13th.  Approximately half of those unemployed are under the age of 34. Israel has an above average rate of young people who are not financially stable. - Channel 13
• Curfews being considered by Corona Cabinet in selected hot-spots among them; Ashdod, Kiryat Gat and Dimona.
• A patient at Hadassah Har HaTzofim hospital infects patients, 1 nurse and 4 kitchen workers.
• Ashdod school "Shila": 33 students infected and 7 teachers too
• Dimona:Nuclear Research Center: 180 workers in isolation
• An officer of the prison services tests positive for Covid-19, 7 prisoners are sent into isolation including 2 members of an organized crime ring
• Green countries:  Israel is not on the list of green countries which are now allowing travel into the EU.  The list is updated every two weeks.
• International news:
  • As America ebbs towards 3 million coronavirus cases they announce that if directives are not adhered to, America could be seeing 100,000 new cases a day in the very near future.