New details about the government's easing of health restrictions reveal of lot of previous restrictions are still in place, such as a lack of public transport, a ban of food take away and visiting friends.
According to new guidelines, trains will not yet resume operations, but additional buses will be added to the rotation to meet the growing demand after the workforce allowed to renter the economy has been increased from 15% to 30%.
Not all bus lines will resume operations or increase in numbers but only those deemed essential to the public in order to help them reach places of work, grocery stores and medical centers. A renewal of more previously cancelled bus lines will occur gradually in the coming weeks.
Bus lines will keep operating only between Sunday and Thursday evening, and only until 8pm. All those boarding a bus will be required to wear a protective face mask. No more than 20 people will be allowed inside a bus.
Transportation Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that he has instructed the ministry’s licensing department to renew additional activities such as driving lessons and tests starting Monday - in accordance with the health guidelines.
“There are 4,100 households supported by driving instructors and tens of thousands of students in the middle of their driving lessons.
Special education programs are allowed to operate for groups of up to three children, with 15-minute intervals between groups. Kids from three families can be looked after by a single carer.
Beaches, parks, playgrounds and municipal sporting centers will remain closed. Sporting activity, however, is allowed in pairs of two and people are not allowed to venture 500 meters from their homes during training.
Visiting others in their homes is not allowed, even if their are close friends or family members.
The aforementioned guidelines took immediate effect and are set to remain in force until May 3.
Various retail stores - including those selling electrical goods, household goods, furniture and others - are allowed to operate if they meet their own “purple badge” standard. That entails taking body temperature of customers upon entry, delineating a two-meter distance between customers at cash registers, erecting a physical barrier between buyer and seller and frequent disinfecting.
The number of people in the store at the same time must be restricted so that there are no more than two customers per active cashier. Four people per active cashier are allowed in stores larger than 400 square meters.
Deliveries can be made from all stores, as well as pickup from stores that adhere to the regulations. Take away of food from restaurants and cafes is still prohibited.
Shopping malls, markets, restaurants, toy shops, beauty and hair salons and clothing stores remain closed at this time.
The workplace regulations are currently in effect until April 30.