Health minister hails incoming virus czar for taking on ‘challenging role’

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein wishes Israel’s incoming coronavirus czar, Nachman Ash, success in his new role.

“I thank him for his willingness to take on this challenging role,” says Edelstein during a tour of the Ziv Medical Center in the northern city of Safed.

He also addresses yesterday’s cabinet decision to allow the reopening of businesses that can cater to one customer at a time, starting Sunday.

“Many people who were without a livelihood for weeks — and I’m talking about cosmeticians, private tutors, driving teachers and the like — will go back to work,” he says, according to Channel 12.

Edelstein urges Israelis to adhere to the guidelines — notably regarding social distancing and mask wearing — so that the country will not have to reimpose the lockdown regulations that were already lifted.

“As you can see, the [infection] numbers aren’t growing as they did in the beginning,” he says. “We’re monitoring with concern and trying to exit the lockdown gradually so as to avert a third lockdown.”