Coronavirus czar Professor Nachman Ash spoke about what happens after Israel's lockdown expires on Sunday morning, and when schools might be able to reopen.
In an interview with Kan Reshet Bet, Prof. Ash said that only a few things will reopen, none of which seem to be a great risk factor for increased infection.
He added that he hopes "that this stage will pass with no issues, and that we can open more things."
Ash also emphasized that the thrid lockdown did not have the same effects as the previous two, among other things because of the British mutation and the public's lackadaisical attitude, which has become more apparent in recent days. He also warned that if the numbers do not go down while Israel exits its lockdown, there may be a fourth lockdown.
Regarding when schools will open, Ash said that the issue will be decided Saturday and Sunday, together with the Education Ministry. Meanwhile, he believes that in the coming week, a few schools can be opened in green and yellow areas. "We want to do this in a safe way," he explained.
In the interview, Prof. Ash was also asked about the experiemental drug being used in Tel Aviv's Ichilov Hospital, which cured 96% of coronavirus patients who received it during the first stage of the trial.
"The initial data is encouraging, but every medication needs to be brought in in a controlled fashion and to be compared to a placebo," he said. "I hope that it succeeds, it definitely will provide those who are seriously ill with another layer of protection."