Israelis who choose to get vaccinated against coronavirus will receive "free movement" waivers, allowing them to bypass certain health restrictions, the Health Ministry has said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that Israel will begin administrating coronavirus vaccinations on December 27 and that Israel was ready to vaccinate 60,000 people a day. Thousands of doses of the Pfizer vaccine arrived in Israel last week via special charter flights.
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Medical staff prepares for the start of the vaccination campaign
(Photo: Tal Shahar )
The so-called "green passports" will be handed out only after the second shot is administered since Pfizer vaccine requires two jabs in order to be effective
Holders of the passports will be able to attend public events and eat at restaurants among other things, Health Ministry Director-General Chezy Levy told Channel 12 on Sunday.
They will also not be required to enter mandatory quarantine after contact with a confirmed patient or after returning from a "red country" abroad. Those travelling will also not be required to take a mandatory COVID-19 test before leaving the country.
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Netanyahu and Edelstein visit facility where vaccinations are stored
(Photo: Yariv Katz )
Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, meanwhile, told Channel 13 the idea behind the plan was not to grant privileges to the "green passport" holders, but to make sure they can engage in activities that are potentially dangerous for those who had not been immunized.
Recent polls reveal 50% to 75% of Israelis are unwilling to take the jab, mostly due to concerns over how fast it had been developed.
This story was reprinted with permission from i24NEWS