The Health Ministry has finalized its demands for closures and new restrictions on neighborhoods and cities with high coronavirus infection rates. The Committee of Ministers on Restricted Areas will meet today to discuss the recommendations.
According to a report on News 12, the Ministry of Health demands full closure in Modi'in Illit, including the closure of yeshivas and kolels. It demands full closure in Ramla, and in Lod - an extension of the closure as well as the addition of three other neighborhoods.
In Jerusalem, the closure of 5 neighborhoods (Romema, Maalot Dafna, Kiryat Sanz, Ramot and Har Nof) is requested.
In Kiryat Malachi, the closure of 2 neighborhoods (Ahuzot Rotem and Chabad neighborhoods, closure of education from age 9, yeshivas and kolels).
Bnei Brak - closure of education, yeshivas and kolels throughout the city.
Ashdod - extension of closure (no final decision made) and Ra'anana - intensifying coronavirus tests following an incident involving a student party and assistance to the local authority.
Earlier, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon sent a letter to Health Ministry Deputy Director Prof. Itamar Grotto, writing, "My unequivocal stance is against the closure. The proposed closure may make the relevant neighborhoods into coronavirus incubators."
"It's important to stress: Unlike other cities, the neighborhoods in Jerusalem are neighborhoods where tens of thousands of people and families blessed with many children live in crowded apartments, with hundreds of people living in each building. Their hermetic closure will lead to mass infection within the community and make matters worse," he explained.