Ministers lift weekend virus rules, said to back more air travel by mid-August

The so-called Coronavirus Cabinet has decided to lift the weekend restrictions on commerce after health officials determine the rules don’t effectively drive down COVID-19 infection rates, according to Hebrew media reports.

The senior ministers also decide to resume air travel and “reopen the skies” by August 16, in a move hinting that border entry requirements will be relaxed for non-Israelis, who have been barred from the country for months.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu favored reimposing a lockdown but was met with pushback by coronavirus czar Ronni Gamzu, with most ministers siding with the senior health official, the reports say.

The ministers also agree that enforcement of health rules in highly infected areas would be stepped up.