Speaker officially forbids gatherings of more than 10 in 120-person Knesset

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein officially forbids meetings of more than 10 people in the 120-person parliament but says voting will still be possible, in a move he says is in response to the coronavirus.

Edelstein, who had announced plans to roll out such a measure earlier today, says the order will be in place for 14 days.

“The meaning of the order on the Knesset is that gatherings of more than 10 people in the plenary will not take place and that a 2-meter (6.6-foot) distance must be maintained [between people],” he writes.

The Knesset speaker says this order will not prevent voting, but that it will take place in the manner similar to the parliament’s swearing-in ceremonies, in which Knesset members entered the plenary in groups of three.

The move comes after two ministers and two Knesset members are placed in quarantine after being in contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus.