Israelis will endure another full lockdown in the final days of the Passover in an effort to stop people from congregating amid the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Monday night.
The lockdown will begin at 5pm Tuesday and last until Thursday at 5am, covering the end of Passover on Wednesday but not the mimouna celebrations traditionally held by Jews of North African origin after the final day of the holiday.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing a new lockdown for the end of Passover
(Photo: GPO)
During this time, Israelis will not be allowed to leave their cities and communities, although shops will be open. Cities and towns with a non-Jewish majority are exempt.
The Health Ministry had apparently advised Netanyahu to impose the lockdown until 6am Sunday, to include the mimouna celebrations.
"You are asked to hold limited family celebrations with those around you right now, as we did at [the first night of] Passover," the prime minister said.
"I am reminding you that on the day of the mimouna, gatherings in parks is forbidden," he said. "It has become a national holiday but this year it has to be different, in the bosom of the family."
The government imposed a lockdown last week at the start of the Jewish holiday, which included a full curfew on Seder Night, that also prohibited Israelis from venturing outside their cities and communities.
Municipal inspectors have also been authorized by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan to enforce and impose fines on those who are violating the Health Ministry directives.
Previously only police officers were authorized to legally enforce the orders on the public.