Hours before ministers were scheduled to vote on further restrictions on Israelis due to the spread of coronavirus, the Doctors Association of Israel issued a statement on Thursday calling the decision "illogical from an epidemiological perspective."
Doctors noted that in order to preserve the public's health and trust in officials – the government must act with full transparency and without any political interests.
2 View gallery
Ministers deliberate further restrictions on the Israeli population due to spike in COVID-19 infections
(Photo: GPO)
"There are other strategies to better deal with the pandemic and its ramifications with a broad, long-term perspective on public health," the statement read.
Following government consultations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the cabinet will be convened in the evening hours of Thursday to vote on actions required to rein in the spread of coronavirus.
The proposed measures include nationwide weekend lockdowns, as well as a prohibition on gatherings of more than 10 people, suspension of in-house dining in restaurants, the closing of gyms, and suspension of all educational activities including religious seminaries.
The prime minister will urge ministers to vote for reducing bus operations to 50% and further restrictions on workplaces.
Previous proposals of a full lockdown have been rejected.
Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit learned of the new measures from a radio broadcast and has yet to weigh in on the legality of the suggested moves. Mandelblit will be required to address the subject in the cabinet meeting.
Israel saw its highest daily rise of new coronavirus cases since the onset of the outbreak, with 1,758 new diagnoses reported in the past 24 hours, health officials said Thursday morning.