Home Front Command says small gatherings to be permitted, workplaces with shelters can open; schools stay closed

As part of the Home Front Command’s changes to its civil defense policy, small gatherings will soon be permitted and workplaces will be able to operate provided an adequate shelter can be reached in time.

Schools will remain closed nationwide until further notice.

The changes, which take effect at 6 p.m. this evening, come following a fresh assessment held by the IDF Home Front Command and Defense Minister Israel Katz.

The activity scale in most areas of the country has been adjusted from “essential activity” to “limited activity,” the Home Front Command says.

This means gatherings of up to 30 people are permitted, provided a shelter can be reached in time.

In the northern frontier communities, Golan Heights, Beit She’an Valley, Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, Arava, Eilat, and Gaza border communities, the scale has been adjusted from “essential activity” to “partial activity,” the Home Front Command says.

This means gatherings in those areas are permitted up to 50 people outdoors and 100 people indoors, provided a shelter can be reached in time.

Nationwide, workplaces will also be able to operate under the same conditions, but schools remain closed.

The guidelines remain in effect until Friday night, when the Home Front Command will conduct another assessment.