Israeli government on Monday is set to discuss further lifting of coronavirus restrictions, including the reopening of shopping malls, universities and national parks sometime this week.
The country has been under lockdown since the start of COVID-19 outbreak in March, but last week the cabinet lifted a series of measures, allowing street stores, barbershops and beauty salons to operate under the Health Ministry’s orders. In addition, over a million children returned to schools on Sunday morning.
According to the draft initiated by the Finance Ministry and set to be tabled for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the cabinet - shopping malls, universities and colleges, bed and breakfasts as well as all national parks and nature reserves - could reopen as soon as this Tuesday, in accordance with health directives.
All kindergartens would reopen as soon as next Sunday, according to the draft, which would complete Stage 1 of Israel’s exit strategy following the health crisis.
If the remaining restrictions are lifted successfully, the following Sunday, May 17, would see the beginning of Stage 2, with the reopening of hotels, markets, gyms, public swimming pools, libraries, museums, art venues, non-medical treatments and community centers.
All activities would be conducted under social distancing rules, with no more than 50 people in one location.
Children from grades four through six will be allowed to return to school, which would complete Stage 2 of the exit strategy.
If the restrictions are lifted without a consequent spike in infections, two weeks later, on Sunday May 31, Stage 3 of the exit strategy would be implemented.
The third stage would see the reopening of restaurants, movie theaters, event halls, bars, non-competitive sports and schools for all students. At that stage, it is assumed the amount of people allowed to gather in one location will be increased to 100.
The Health Ministry has objected to the draft and wants the process of the reopening to be slowed down by two weeks, with the implementation of the final stage taking place sometime in the middle of June.