Netanyahu begins delivering a televised statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on the new coronavirus.
The premier says the government will approve “emergency” measures allowing it to use special digital tracking means to follow people who have the virus, and alert those who have been in close contact with them for 10 minutes or more to enter quarantine. The measure will be approved tonight for 30 days, he says. There was a 6-hour debate to ensure the intrusive measure is properly used, he adds. “Israel is a democracy,” he stresses, and the the needs of the individual have to be balanced with the wider public good.
He says public sector workplaces will move to an “emergency framework” and that private firms will reduce their economic activity. These measures will be in place until Passover.
He also says essential services will continue to operate.
Netanyahu adds that Israel is not imposing a general lockdown, but may close off specific areas with high instances of the virus.
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From the Liveblog of
Monday, March 16, 2020
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