A Jerusalem school, which became a coronavirus hotspot less than two months ago, on Sunday evening staged a mass end of the school year prom, violating public health orders.
The Hebrew Gymnasium high school saw over 220 (10%) of its students and faculty members infected with COVID-19 at the end of May, with over a thousand of people having to enter quarantine as a result.
The prom night, organized by the school, was attended by over 100 people in a confined space, with participants failing to wear masks or adhere social distancing rules.
The school insisted, however, all students underwent a temperature check at the entrance to the school, with hand sanitizer gel supplied to all attendees.
According to one female student who attended the party, the school staff divided the students into smal groups in order to avoid overcrowding.
Students said a faculty member was placed at the entrance to lock the door after anyone leaving and entering after every student. The faculty member refused to disclose information about the party to a Ynet reporter. "I'll talk to you tomorrow morning," he said.
At 11pm, as the party was winding down, the staffer told the students leaving the bash to "put on your masks on, as there is a nice man outside taking pictures."
The Jerusalem Municipality issued a statement, saying: "The event took place without the consent or knowledge of municpality."
"On Sunday, the end of the school year celebration took place at the Hebrew Gymnasium. Unlike years prior, it was not a ball nor a party – far from it," said the school in a statement.
"Due to health regulations, students in twelfth grade celebrated their graduation without their parents, any other family member or friends. The student groups arrived at the school 40 minutes apart in order to avoid meeting each other.
"The students were told to wear masks and sign a declaration of health at the entrance. Later, after short greetings and the distribution of graduation certificates, each group of students gathered in a wide circle in an open space and then dispersed," the statement added.