Netanyahu: Opening shops next week ‘may increase infection rate’

During a visit to an elementary school in Jerusalem to observe classes after they returned this week from lockdown, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that next week’s planned opening of shops may lead to an increase of coronavirus cases across the country.

“I understand the distress of the shop owners and we decided to help them. However, we know there may be an increase in infection rates,” he says.

“Leaving the first lockdown, we learned that this time we need to go slower, and if necessary, then we will also stop [the lifting of restrictions]. We are examining it according to the infection rates.”

The number of new cases diagnosed in Israel dipped to its lowest in three days on Wednesday, while positive test rates continued their slight downward trend since the beginning of the week, the Health Ministry said earlier.