Netanahu: ‘Great effort’ being made to avoid renewed lockdown

Prime Minister Netanyahu again says the government is seeking to avoid reimposing a lockdown to contain the coronavirus, as ministers convene to discuss whether to put in place strict restrictions over the High Holidays.

“There’s definitely a great effort to avoid this to continue with the rehabilitation of the economy,” Netanyahu says at the start of a meeting of the so-called coronavirus cabinet, according to the Ynet news site. “This will definitely be tied to the morbidity situation.”

He also repeats his call to prevent new elections, which could be triggered if an agreement isn’t reached between his Likud party and Blue and White before the Monday night deadline to pass a budget.

“It’s important we do everything to prevent [new] elections and continue onward,” Netanyahu says.