As the Health Ministry said Wednesday that 420 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus in Israel in the past 24 hours - marking another steep rise - the cabinet was set to discuss the reintroduction of a controversial method of tracking patients using Shin Bet security service technology.
Since the beginning of the week, Israel has seen 1,013 new cases - almost as many as in the entire month of May.
Out of the 5,460 patients actively battling the virus, 45 are in serious condition, with 28 requiring a ventilator.
The death toll from the virus stands at 308, with no new fatalities reported since Tuesday.
Due to the continued increase in infections, the cabinet was to meet at 1pm to discuss the reintroduction of the Shin Bet track the movements of confirmed cases using counter-terrorism methods.
A partial lockdown over the central city of Elad and several neighborhoods in Tiberias in the north went into effect at 8pm Wednesday due to the steep rise of coronavirus cases in those areas.
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A police checkpoint at the entrance to a restricted zone in Tiberias
(Photo: Aviahu Shapira)
The government-mandated restrictions are set to be in effect for a week.
The areas of Tiberias affected include Ramat Tiberias Bet, Ramat Tiberias Gimmel, Area 200, Tiberias Illit, and the Ben-Gurion neighborhood.
Under these provisions, non-residents will not be allowed to move in and out of the areas except for work, matriculation exams, medical care, legal proceedings, the funeral of a first-degree relative or the transfer of a minor.
Gatherings of over 50 people will not be permitted.
In Tiberias, police will man seven checkpoints at different roads leading into the neighborhoods.
Similar roadblocks have been placed at the entrance to Elad.