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The Coronavirus Cabinet met on Sunday to approve new regulations on business activities, workplace attendance, public and private gatherings, as well as general rules of conduct in light of the continued spread of the coronavirus in the country.

The new measures will apply once the previous set of emergency regulations expires on Tuesday of this week.

The new regulations stipulate the following:

  • Individuals are to maintain a distance of at least two meters in the public sphere.
  • A ban on gatherings in public spaces; in private spaces and businesses – a limit of 20 people in open areas and 10 people in enclosed spaces.
  • Maximum number of passengers in private vehicles - two (in addition to driver); if the vehicle has more than one row of seats in the back, an additional passenger may be accommodated. If the passengers are from a single household, all those residing together may travel together.
  • Face masks must be worn in public, and signs must be posted in municipal facilities and recreational facilities indicating this requirement. Stores must refuse entry to customers without masks.
  • Each synagogue must appoint a person in charge of enforcing health directives.
  • In places where customers stand in line, places must be marked off in order to maintain social distancing. Transparent screens must separate customers from employees serving them.
  • Permissible occupancy in public areas or places of work: one person per seven square meters or in accordance with gathering limit (whichever is greater); restaurants or hotels: 35% occupancy according to number stipulated in business license; group therapy in a welfare center - up to 15 participants; pools and mikvehs - one person per six square meters.
  • Deliveries must be deposited outside the door of their destination and not brought indoors by couriers.
  • In the event that a coronavirus-positive patient is found to have been in a public or business space, the Ministry of Health has authorized the closure of the space for the period of time necessary to disinfect the area and prevent further spread of the virus.
  • Blanket ban on the operation of: discos, bars and pubs, event halls (indoors and outdoors), recreational areas and amusement parks (including indoor ones), commercial jacuzzis.
  • Reopening of baby pools to be permitted.

These new regulations will enable cultural events to be held following consultation with the Director-General of the Ministry of Culture.

Workplaces that only admit employees will be permitted to accommodate more than 20 employees. Employees will be required to maintain health & safety guidelines to minimize the risk of contagion, and more exceptions to the rules will be granted in specific cases, in order to support the economy.

Rules that apply to workplaces:

A. Maintenance of social distancing directives.

B. Wearing face covering.

C. Use of personal equipment as far as possible.

D. Meetings of up to 50 participants to be permitted while adhering to Health Ministry guidelines.