Israeli government set to discuss the closure of restaurants, beaches and synagogues as well as limiting gatherings to 10 people at an urgent meeting convened in the wake of record daily coronavirus tally.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the meeting of ministers, health experts and members of National Security Council on Thursday, just hours after the Health Ministry reported that 1,758 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours, bringing the infection rate to an alarming 7%.
The officials are set to debate the National Security Council (NSC) recommendations to limit restaurant activity to deliveries only, shutter synagogues, summer schools, universities, beaches, gyms and swimming pools and significantly reduce public transport.
In addition, the officials were to mull limiting all social gatherings to 10 people and imposing curfews during nighttime or weekends but not on weekdays.
Netanyahu is set to convene the coronavirus cabinet in the evening hours to put the latest restrictions up for a vote, but it is not expected that all proposals would be approved.
A similar meeting was held on Tuesday evening, attended by former Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman-Tov, who oversaw the last nationwide lockdown.
During the meeting, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said it has been only a week since the last restrictions were implemented and it's too early to tell whether they've had any effect, implying the NSC's recommendations for further closures should be put on hold.