Lockdown enforcement in Jerusalem
Lockdown enforcement in JerusalemOlivier Fitoussi/Flash90

Israel will likely not impose new restrictions during the Passover holiday season, Israel’s coronavirus czar, Prof. Nachman Ash, announced Sunday afternoon.

Speaking at a press conference, Ash said that the infection coefficient in Israel has fallen over the past week to 0.78, well below the 1.0 level at which the virus maintains itself within a population without declining.

“Yesterday less than 1,000 new cases were detected, and the number of seriously ill patients has also fallen, even if somewhat slowly,” said Ash.

“Given the good infection rate numbers, we can celebrate Passover in a reasonable way. No new restrictions are expected during Passover. In synagogues, we will continue with the green passport system, or in accordance with limits on the number of people at gatherings, whichever system is chosen [by a given synagogue].”

“Home gatherings are expected to remain under the existing limits on indoor gatherings; events at hotels will be held under the green passport system, with children allowed in if they’re tested.”

While gatherings at home are permitted, Ash said it is preferable to meet outdoors rather than indoors.

“Despite our optimism, we need to remember that the positive trend can change if we don’t adhere to the rules.”

“We might go backwards, but I don’t see that happening in the immediate future.”