For the first time since restrictions were imposed last month to curb the spread of coronavirus, drivers reported traffic jams on Israel's roads with 75% of the normal volume of traffic.
The government announced the lifting of some restrictions on Sunday that included an increase of 15% in the workforce and the opening of some shops and businesses.
However, the number of cars on the road exceeded expectations with traffic increasing every day this week.
The National Transport Infrastructure Company, a government-owned company that maintains Israel's interurban roads, said that before the easing of restrictions, traffic volume was at 30% of the average.
Urban traffic was also on the rise. with parking apps reporting a 100% spike in users since the end of the Passover holiday.
Fearing a rise in the contagion of COVID-19 on Israel's 72 Independence Day next week, the government on Wednesday announced steps aimed at keeping people at home.
On Memorial Day, which set to last from sundown on April 27 to nightfall on April 28, Israelis will be banned from leaving their municipal boundaries and military cemeteries will be closed to families of fallen soldiers.
On Independence Day, which begins at nightfall on April 28 and ends 24 hours later, the country will enter a full lockdown.
The Health Ministry announced Wednesday that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Israel stands at 14,498, while 189 patients have succumbed to the disease.