IDF to again allow soldiers to take regular furloughs, use public transportation

The Israel Defense Forces says it will again allow soldiers to take furloughs as normal, after nearly two months of limiting troop’s leave because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The moves comes as the country generally begins to return to its normal routines as the COVID-19 crisis appears to be coming under control.

The military says troops will again be able to use public transportation fully. As a result, the IDF will stop running its internal transport service.

The IDF will also close its resort for soldiers who contracted the coronavirus in Ashkelon, sending the remaining troops to civilian facilities in Ashkelon and Nahariya.

Despite the return to normal, the military says it will continue to deploy troops in the country’s old age homes, though this too will be faded out in the coming weeks.

— Judah Ari Gross