Economy minister says ‘Green Pass’ won’t start in malls tomorrow

Economy Minister Orna Barbivai says that a plan to have the “Green Pass” system begin in malls across Israel tomorrow will be delayed.

Barbivai tells Channel 12 news that it won’t start tomorrow since “we didn’t want to make a decision from one day to the next.”

The plan that was slated to begin tomorrow would have necessitated everyone getting checked at the entrance to the mall, with those in possession of a “Green Pass” being handed a bracelet giving them access to all stores.

Those without a pass proving they have a vaccine booster or two doses within the past six months would only be allowed to enter essential shops like supermarkets and pharmacies.

But after a public outcry from mall owners, the government revisited the plan, but could not come to a conclusion earlier today on how to best implement it.

“We want to avoid wide contagion in public places,” says Barbivai, adding that the government is continuing to push for vaccines in both adults and children.

“Israelis are looking at Europe and we’re seeing the Omicron variant spreading in Europe and around the world,” she adds as the justification for such measures.

“Nobody wants to cause damage” to the economy and the commerce sector, Barbivai says.