The Ministry of Health presented today (Sunday) a breakdown of COVID-19 data collected over the past week in an attempt to provide MKs crucial information that will assist them in formatting a plan for dealing with the ongoing crisis.
The Ministry has begun collecting segmented virus data over the past weeks in a first-of-its-kind move since the beginning of the outbreak.
According to the data provided, two-thirds of virus cases could be traced to individual's places of residence - 1,474 cases out of a total of 2,227 between the dates of July 10 and 16th.
Educational institutions were second when it came to coronavirus infections with close to 10% originating in state schools, and 123 infections, or about 5.6% taking place at mass events.
Leisure centers, including cafes and restaurants, were fifth, with 89 cases or just 4%, just below the number for religious institutions in the country.
Breaking down places of recreational activity, 33 virus cases could not be traced, 19 infections took place at dance clubs (17 at parties), 16 at parties outside of clubs, just 11 at bars, and only 10 were traced back to restaurants or cafes, slated to close on 5 p.m. Tuesday afternoon if the Coronavirus Cabinet's decision stands.
Stores and malls, where only about 1.2% of all infections were reported to have taken place, with 26 confirmed cases over the previous week, are to close down over the weekends. 24 infections have been confirmed in sports facilities - below the total in nursing homes and about half the total at people's places of work.
Just four virus cases have been confirmed to have originated at the country's beaches and swimming pools – accounting for 0.2% of the total. The figure is much lower as compared to public transportation (14 cases or 0.6%) and even lower than small-scale private gatherings (seven cases a week, totaling 0.3%).
The Coronavirus Committee, headed by MK Yifat Shasha-Bitton, convened at noon today (Sunday) to discuss the latest government-imposed restrictions.
She said that, like everyone else, she was interested in "cut[ting] off the chains of infection and preventing the spread of the virus."
However, she said, "We need to see that we do not throw out the baby with the bathwater and create enormous economic and psychological damage. It is not certain that the restrictions are the right step at the time, providing a complete solution."
"It is important to me that we examine each restriction and try to understand what logic and data it rests upon, and in the end we will make the best decisions for the public from both the medical and economic perspectives, taking all factors under consideration," she added.
Shasha-Bitton also said "there [was] a long line of perquisites to be met before a lockdown is imposed."
Last Thursday, the cabinet decided on a series of additional restrictions in a last-ditch effort to prevent a nation-wide lockdown, in light of the sharp increase in the coronavirus morbidity rate.
Most regulations took effect at 5:00 p.m. last Friday.
Other than essential services such as grocery stores and pharmacies, local businesses will not be permitted to operate on weekends.
Starting next weekend, beaches in the country will be closed off to visitors.
While hotels will only provide access to patrons, hotel swimming pools will remain open.
Gyms as well as sports facilities will also shut their doors.
Restaurants will only be permitted to provide pick-up and delivery service, without seating within the premises.
It was also decided to reduce the hours of customer service in government ministries, moving them to online services, along with a reduction to 50% attendance in government ministries.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said at the start of the Cabinet meeting, "In recent days we have dealt specifically with the economic issue, both in trying to bring a long-term plan to businesses and the self-employed to give them security, and in the incentives we want to give the economy in the immediate time period."
"I ask before anything else that by next Thursday, one week from today, each minister bring a plan of his ministry for the safe opening of the economy. That is a week’s time. I ask you to get organized because our goal is to flatten the curve, gain control, and get past this phase safely,” added Netanyahu.
Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel argued against shutting down the country’s educational institutions.
“There is a lack of transparency, there must be uniform criteria in deciding where closures should occur. Early childhood centers and schools as much as possible. Do not rush to close down the country—It will paralyze the economy," Hendel warned.