The government was set Tuesday to approve new restrictions for next week's Memorial Day and Independence Day as part of efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
On Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and terror victims of terror, which begins next Monday night, bereaved families will not be allowed to visit military cemeteries. Memorial ceremonies will be held under Health Ministry guidelines without public participation.
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The annual Memorial Day service at Mount Herzl military cemetery has been cancelled this year
(Photo: AFP)
The closure is set to include restrictions on travel outside city limits except for purposes of work or essential purchases in shops permitted to operate after some restrictions were lifted Sunday.
Similar restrictions were put in place during the Passover festival earlier this month.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations on Tuesday with Defense Minister Naftali Bennett, Health Minister Yaakov Litzman and Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit.
After the veteran's organization Yad Lebanim weighed in on the question of opening military cemeteries for families, the prime minister decided to deny entry in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
Families are invited to visit the graves of loved ones in the days leading up to the events.
Public celebrations will not be held on Independence Day, which begins Tuesday night, while some municipalities and police will be on hand to prevent public gatherings.
The day is normally marked by picnics and barbecues across the country, with the parks and nature reserves packed out.
Instead of the usual Israel Air Force countrywide flyby, which draws tens of thousands of spectators, this year just four planes will put on a display.
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Israelis on Tel Aviv beach watching last year's Independence Day aerial display
(Photo: EPA)
The planes will fly over the nation's hospitals in tribute to the healthcare professionals on the front line of the fight against coronavirus.
The Israel Police, meanwhile, have demanded ministers weigh in on Cultural Minister Miri Regev's initiative to hold firework displays on Tuesday night as festivities begin, fearing crowds would congregate to see the spectacle.
Regev and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan along with Health Minister Yaakov Litzman had decided to allow local government to each hold one firework display that they hoped residents would be able to see from their windows and balconies.
Police would be asked to be on hand to ensure people remained in their homes.
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Fireworks in Tel Aviv during last year's Independence Day celebrations
(Photo: Moti Kimchi)
Also Tuesday, municipal leaders in Arab towns and cities called for Netanyahu to impose nighttime curfews during the month of Ramadan, which begins Thursday.
The local leaders called for a lockdown from 6pm to 3am each night as part of efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus.