Israel saw 3,182 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, health officials said Monday morning, as the country prepared to head into a second lockdown over the Jewish High Holiday period due to still soaring infection rates.
The country conducted 34,749 tests on Sunday, giving an infection rate of 9.4%, the highest since last week.
A total of 529 people were reported to be in serious condition, of which 135 were on ventilators.
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A family member visits a critically ill patient at the Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv
(Photo: Ziv Koren)
The Israeli death toll since the start of the pandemic stands at 1,126 people.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the government had approved a three-week lockdown to be imposed on the entire country beginning on Friday.
Despite data to the contrary, Netanyahu claimed Israel's handling of the pandemic achieved among the lowest mortality rates in the West.
He also claimed Israel's economy was less severely impacted because of the country's early measures, which included closing borders and imposing a lockdown.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing a national lockdown to be imposed as of Friday
(Photo: Yoav Dudkiewicz)
Netanyahu spoke before his departure to the United States to sign a peace agreement with the UAE and a normalization agreement with Bahrain.
The government's decision includes restrictions on movement limiting Israelis to no more than 500 meters from home while part of the economy would be allowed to continue.
Restaurants, gyms, swimming pools, entertainment and recreation would all banned.
Schools will also be ordered to close for all age groups and public transportation will operate on a limited basis.
Minister approved special consideration for prayer services during the High Holidays with synagogues instructed to limit prayer in doors.
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People pray outdoors in Bnei Brak after synagogues instructed to restrict attendance
(Photo: AP)
Ben-Gurion Airport's continued operation as well as airline travel was to be decided by ministers on Monday, after at least 100,000 Israelis have already booked flights for the holiday period.
Public adherence to the lockdown and its restrictions remains unclear after some businesses announced they would ignore the government's decision and remain open.
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A Tel Aviv shop announces it is going out of business due to the coronavirus pandemic
(Photo: Uriel Cohen)
Finance Minister Israel Katz said he will introduce an aid package to businesses impacted by the lockdown and to people who stand to lose their job in its wake.
First published: 08:42, 09.14.20