Israel: PM Bennet moves to ban unvaccinated citizens from shopping malls

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz are now pushing to expand the country’s COVID-19 Green Pass mandate to bar unvaccinated citizens from free access to shopping malls, Ynet News reports. Awaiting final approval from lawmakers, the policy has been recommended amid concerns about rising cases of the new Omicron variant.

Under the new policy, only Green Pass holders who have had three COVID-19 vaccinations, or who have had two vaccinations or recovered from the virus in the last six months, would be allowed free access to shopping malls, Ynet News reports.

Once the policy is approved by the government and lawmakers, Israel’s population will be required to present their Green Pass at the entrance to shopping malls, and will be given a hand bracelet showing they have access to all the facilities there, Ynet said.

Those people who do not have the necessary certification will be allowed only limited access to specific essential services inside the mall. These services will be specified and listed by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit.

The national mall lobby has criticized the policy as ‘unreasonable’ and unconstitutional, Ynet reports.

Health officials are also planning to give those who have received just one vaccination a provisional Green Pass that will be valid for 30 days.

Latest Worthy News