Israel considering severe new COVID-19 restrictions to halt infection surge

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Israeli health officials are considering new COVID-19 restrictions, including barring the non-vaccinated from supermarkets, in order to bring down the surging number of infections in the country, All Israel News (AIN) reports.

While Israel has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, infection rates began to rise again in June and July, after lockdown and other restrictions were lifted. As of Monday Israel had 664 hospitalized patients in serious condition, including 117 on ventilators, AIN reports.

Israel’s Cabinet was set to debate on Tuesday whether to decrease the validity of the green pass, and whether to remove it from eligible citizens who have not taken the third vaccination dose available to people over 40, AIN reports. According to Israel’s Channel 12, some health officials are even considering prohibiting the non-vaccinated from entering supermarkets and other indoor areas that are currently still open to everyone.

The green pass has allowed the vaccinated to enter indoor places and certain outdoor areas that are banned for those who have not been inoculated.

“I believe that as soon as they open the third vaccine for everyone the green passport will be taken from those who have been vaccinated twice,” Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked said in a statement. The third shot is expected to soon be available to everyone over 30.

Israel has surpassed 1 million cases since the start of the pandemic, and 6,856 people have died a COVID-19 related death in the country, AIN said.

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