Health minister signals negative coronavirus test won’t suffice to enter gyms, hotels, malls

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein signals that when malls, gyms, and hotels reopen, they will be accessible only by the vaccinated and those who recovered from COVID-19, but a negative test won’t suffice.

“There are essential areas where we cannot bar entry to any Israeli citizens,” he says. “But there is no shortage of additional areas that will soon reopen, and we certainly can’t allow the [testing] labs to crash because people couldn’t find time to get vaccinated.”

“I strongly recommend that anyone who wants to enjoy a hotel, gym and culture go get vaccinated,” he says.

A reported government plan has recommended reopening these facilities on February 23, provided a number of targets on vaccination and infection rates are met.

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