From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Police set up checkpoints around Bnei Brak
Police have set up checkpoints around the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak and are checking IDs of anyone trying to enter.
Government officials have been moving toward placing a cordon around the city of nearly 200,000, which has become one of the country’s largest coronavirus epicenters with 571 confirmed cases.
The Ynet news site describes the roadblocks as “breathing” checkpoints, meaning police are not actually stopping most drivers.
Channel 12 news notes that the checkpoints are designed to mostly make sure multiple passengers aren’t in the cars and to make sure residents are aware of the city’s precarious situation.
העיר #בניברק ב #סגר pic.twitter.com/xrh0WaIJup
— איציק קליין,איחוד אנושי ???????????? (@izikla32) March 31, 2020
Authorities have upped enforcement of social-distancing rules in Bnei Brak and other ultra-Orthodox areas, where some have flouted rules against congregating or leaving home for non-essential reasons.
