Israel Announces Second Lockdown During Holiday Period: "Stay Within 500m of Your Home"

Israel Faces Rapid Increase in COVID-19 Cases
Three-Week Movement Restrictions Ahead of Holidays
Conflict Within Ruling Coalition Over Reintroduction of Lockdown Measures

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Israel has reimposed a lockdown to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). A nationwide strict lockdown has been implemented, prohibiting movement beyond 500 meters from residences during the Jewish holiday period.

On the 13th (local time), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the second lockdown plan.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 13th (local time), Israel will enter a three-week lockdown starting from the 18th, coinciding with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year holiday. In previous years, millions of Israelis would visit synagogues during this period, but this year, large-scale restrictions on worship are being enforced to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Under the newly announced lockdown measures, citizens must stay within 500 meters of their homes unless purchasing essential items such as groceries. Businesses open to the general public, including restaurants, hotels, and gyms, must close during the lockdown period. Gatherings are also limited to 10 people indoors and 20 people outdoors.

Israel has recently seen a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases. There are concerns that the healthcare system will be overwhelmed if the flu season coincides with the pandemic. According to the international statistics site Worldometer, on the 13th, Israel reported 2,882 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 155,604. With a population of less than 9 million, Israel has been recording daily new cases ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 recently.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is reportedly preparing new rules related to worship, but they have not yet been announced.

According to WSJ, Israel is the only country to have decided on a nationwide second lockdown. While European countries have also implemented lockdown measures, they have only done so once. Amid the recent surge in Europe, countries like the UK have announced measures to limit gathering sizes, but have not yet imposed lockdowns.

During the first lockdown, Israel acted swiftly by closing borders and mandating quarantine for incoming travelers, setting an example for other countries. After achieving results with the lockdown, reopening schools and economic activities led to a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, placing the country in a new crisis.

Initially, Prime Minister Netanyahu planned to impose lockdowns only in areas with high COVID-19 spread, but after facing opposition from local leaders of ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities, he changed his approach to a nationwide lockdown. Within the coalition, there have been doubts about the effectiveness of the lockdown, and some ministers have resigned citing religious issues, indicating significant internal opposition.

The Israeli government plans to introduce additional support measures for those affected by the COVID-19 lockdown. According to the Bank of Israel, the unemployment rate in August was 12%. Although this shows recovery from the 27% unemployment rate recorded in May due to the first lockdown, the reimplementation of lockdown measures is expected to worsen unemployment and other economic indicators.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "We want to break this upward trend," adding, "If the rules are followed well, we will defeat COVID-19."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.