Professor Hezi Levi, Director General of the Ministry of Health, told Kan 11 News in an interview on Monday that hundreds of Israelis will die of the coronavirus if the Ministry of Health's guidelines are not followed.
Professor Levi added that the Ministry of Health aims to conduct about 30,000 coronavirus tests a day.
The Director General of the Ministry of Health noted that he does not think that a lockdown should be ordered in order to curb the spread of the virus.
"Attempts should be made to minimize infection during large gatherings. The balance is between the reality of living with the coronavirus and the need to run an economy in Israel," he said.
According to data published by the Ministry of Health on Monday, there are 6,768 active cases of coronavirus in Israel. 24 are on respirators and are in serious condition. The death toll stands at 319 and to date, 17,189 Israelis have recovered from the virus.
Meanwhile on Monday, the Cabinet approved the enforcement of emergency regulations following a decision approved earlier in the day by the “Coronavirus Cabinet”.
According to the decision, weddings and Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebrations (or similar celebrations in other religions) will take place with the participation of up to 250 people. At other events, the number of participants may not exceed 50. The provision will be in effect until July 9, 2020.
From July 10 through July 31, the number of participants in an event taking place in a building may not exceed half of the allowed occupancy, and no more than 100 people (the number of participants allowed in an event in an open area will remain at 250).