Israeli health officials are apparently considering scrapping the mask mandate in confined spaces at events attended by people who have been vaccinated.
The government has already dropped the outdoor mask requirement due to decreasing number of new coronavirus cases brough upon by the fast-paced vaccination campaign. Now, it appears the mask mandate might be lifted indoors as well.
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A man receives a vaccination against the coronavirus disease at a temporary Clalit vaccination centre, at a sports arena in Jerusalem
(Photo: Reuters)
On Wednesday, during a meeting of the cabinet of health experts that advises the Health Ministry, it was decided that if the downward infection trend continues, it will be possible to lift the mask rule for indoor events staged in accordance with the Green Pass guidelines.
"No consensus has been reached among members of the experts' cabinet on if and at what stage it will be possible to order the lifting of the mask mandate," said the statement summarizing the meeting.
"There is, however, a consensus that if the current [virus] trend continues, evidence will accumulate that a vaccinated or recovered person is not infectious as well as proof there is no transmission when masks are not being worn indoors, it will be possible to allow not to wear masks in confined spaces, in events that take place under the Green Pass rule."
In the meantime, Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kitsch told a Knesset panel on Tuesday the government should consider scrapping the Green Pass rule altogether as soon as in three weeks' time. Health experts said they vehemently oppose the move.
Green Pass is issued to any Israeli one week after receiving the second vaccine shot or after recovering from COVID-19.