Official tells Knesset public transportation should be stopped between Haredi cities

Health Ministry deputy director-general Itamar Grotto tells the Knesset committee on the coronavirus pandemic that public transportation between ultra-Orthodox cities should be halted to stop the spread of the potentially deadly pathogen.

“We are working to stop public transportation between the ultra-Orthodox cities to prevent further infection and fatalities,” he says.

Authorities moved early Sunday to tighten a closure on the virus-stricken city of Bnei Brak, cutting off access between the city and the rest of the country and stepping up efforts to provide aid to residents and remove those carrying the virus.

At the same time, officials are reportedly considering similar measures for other cities that have seen major outbreaks of the disease, many of them with large ultra-Orthodox populations.