Coronavirus committee rules beaches, swimming pools to remain open on weekend

Knesset panel passes decision after government backs down on its demand; lawmakers scheduled to discuss restrictions on restaurants and gyms in the coming days

Nina Fuchs, Itamar Eichner|
Knesset's Coronavirus Cabinet voted on Monday to keep beaches and public swimming pools open on weekends, excluding them from a government order.
  • Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter

  • Committee chair MK Yifat Shasha-Biton said that panel members will continue to discuss further restrictions in the coming days, including the order to shut down gyms and close tourist sites and attractions on the weekend.
    2 View gallery
    ועדת הקורונה
    ועדת הקורונה
    Knesset's Coronavirus Cabinet
    (Photo: Courtesy of Knesset)
    "We are still discussing this with the government. We won't vote before we have an agreement," said Shasha-Biton. "Public swimming pools and beaches will be excluded [from the order] and will open."
    Coalition leader MK Miki Zohar said that the government is inclined to allow outdoor dining at restaurants while prohibiting indoor dining due to fear of infection.
    The committee is scheduled to hold a vote on the opening of restaurants Monday evening after the government will have approved a new order regarding eateries.
    The Ministry of Health reported on Monday that less than a thousand new coronavirus cases were detected in the previous 24 hours for the first time after two weeks.
    2 View gallery
    יואב קיש
    יואב קיש
    Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kish
    (Photo: Knesset Channel)
    Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kish said at the meeting that panel members must take these statistics with a pinch of salt and not rush decisions that may lead to unwanted results.
    The Health Ministry insisted on leaving public spaces, such as event halls and gyms, closed.
    Comments
    The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
    ""