As rules relaxed, Western Wall open only to residents of Old City

As Israel eases its virus restrictions, the Western Wall will be open for prayer for residents of Jerusalem’s Old City only.

The foundation that oversees the holy site says it is cordoning off various prayer areas to hold up to 19 people keeping a two-meter distance between them. This is in accordance with the new government regulation that permits group prayer of up to 19, with social distancing and provided all worshipers wear a mask.

“Please note that prayer at the Western Wall is still only allowed for those people who live within 500 meters of the Western Wall Plaza, meaning – only residents of the Old City of Jerusalem. Roadblocks have been set up at the entrances to the Old City and the police are not allowing anyone who is not a resident to enter,” it says.