Given the current rate of coronavirus infection - which until Sunday showed a gradual decline in the number of newly infected - the IDF's Home Front Command on Tuesday ordered the gradual closure of dedicated quarantine hotels.
The last time such a decision was made was back in May.
Three such facilities were already closed last week, with seven more expected to be discontinued, in accordance with virus morbidity data.
The hotels that were closed last week were located in Acre, near the Lebanon border and on the Golan Heights.
This week, facilities in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and near Mount Tavor are also expected to be closed.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 28 hotels were used as quarantine centers.
However, The Health Ministry reported Tuesday morning that 1,889 Israelis had tested positive for coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the highest number of daily virus diagnoses since July 29.
Closing the seven hotels would allow Home Front Command “to better focus on other challenges, such as preparing the hotels to operate during the holidays,” said the unit's overseer of coronavirus facilities Col. Nir Baron said.
He also noted that Home Front Command is able to reopen a hotel within 48 hours if needed.
First published: 22:09, 08.25.20