Cabinet to discuss night curfew over Purim

The Health Ministry is set to present a plan to ministers to impose a night curfew from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. over the upcoming holiday of Purim.

The plan also reportedly seeks to restrict public transportation and movement between cities.

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, in an interview with Galey Israel radio, implores Israelis to stay home this weekend.

“Tonight we will bring a proposal to the cabinet for a night curfew that will allow the public to go to synagogue to hear the megillah and later stay home,” says Edelstein, adding that the ministry has seen invitations to underground parties and is monitoring a spike in alcohol sales.

“If we aren’t careful on Purim, we’ll sit at home on Passover,” he says, referring to the Jewish holiday next month.

An Israeli dressed up in costume ahead of the holiday of Purim, puts on tefillin in downtown Jerusalem, March 8, 2020 (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

“I am asking those who, like me, hunger to host guests and family on Seder night, to keep the rules on Purim,” adds Edelstein.

Purim begins on Thursday night in most of the country and ends Friday night, though some of the customs are deferred until Sunday in Jerusalem.