The government approved a series of emergency directives on Thursday that authorize it to restrict movement in and out of areas with a high contagion rate of coronavirus.
Bnei Brak is the first city to be placed under lockdown and places such as Elad, Modi'in-Ilit, Beitar-Ilit, and Beit Shemesh are soon to follow.
The residents of Bnei Brak will only be allowed to leave the city to receive medical treatment, attend a funeral of a first-degree relative or for legal proceedings.
According to the new regulations, if the government decides to close down an area, it must immediately notify the local authorities in the restricted area, as well as the Knesset committee for coronavirus affairs, and will keep providing essential goods and services within the area.
The lockdown will be valid for a week but can be extended for five days at a time and up to 21 days in total. Any further extension will require the Knesset's approval.
If the circumstances leading to the lockdown of the area cease to exist, the government will immediately notify the local authorities.
The Jerusalem suburb of Kiryat Ye'arim announced that starting Friday at 6am, only registered residents will be allowed to enter the town.
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Jerusalem's Dan Hotel reassigned as treatment facility for coronavirus aptients
(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
Furthermore, the government approved another directive that requires any Israeli citizen returning from aboard must enter a state-run quarantine facility if they cannot do so in their home or any other alternative location, provided there is available room at the compound. The isolation period will last between 10 and 14 days.
The state will provide food and toiletries to those who will isolate in the state-run facilities.
Any person who fails to self-isolate upon their return will be given a NIS 5,000 fine or a six-month prison sentence.
Enforcement of the regulations will be subject to the necessary authority representatives.