Netanyahu says Israel ramping up tests; tells country, ‘Your home is your castle! Stay home”

Prime Minister Netanyahu begins his statement on the coronavirus.

“Happily we haven’t lost anyone. This won’t last,” he says at his office. “This isn’t a kids game… it’s a matter of life and death.”

Netanyahu says he’s announcing three more steps.

These include a better ability to track down those who might have been exposed to the virus, which the government will be able to do after having approved “digital tracking” measures yesterday. Those who have been exposed will be required to self-quarantine.

He says Israel will also significantly ramp up its testing for coronavirus, to 3,000 tests per day, and ultimately a possible 5,000 tests a day.

He says Israel’s hospitals are bracing for an influx of patients, and have ordered an additional 1,000 respirators.

He also asks Israelis to demonstrate “discipline and responsibility” to help curb the spread of the virus.

He says too many Israelis evidently don’t recognize the gravity of the situation. All the measures Israel is taking will be worthless if people do not follow the restrictions.

He says he sees Israelis at the beach, crowding in lines, even sitting one on top of each on the sofa at home. In this pandemic, he says, “love means keeping your distance.”

If you don’t have to go to work, he adds, stay home. The expression “my home is my castle” applies here, he says.