Tens of thousands of street-front stores reopen, as the government eases the lockdown rules to stem the pandemic.
Stores open for business with a maximum of four customers allowed in at a time, and in compliance with coronavirus regulations.
The stores have been closed since mid-September, when Israel introduced a nationwide lockdown that excluded only essential businesses.
On Wednesday, ministers voted to allow stores to reopen, over the objections of health officials who have urged a slow and gradual reopening of the economy, schools and more. However, the move only covers street-front stores, seemingly excluding those in malls or shopping centers.
A store owner prepares for reopening in downtown Jerusalem as Israel steps out of coronavirus lockdown and rolls back restrictions on November 05, 2020. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 )
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was also reportedly reluctant to okay the openings, warned that the government could snap back some restrictions if numbers continued to mount.
On Saturday, Foot Locker and Nike stores at the Tel Aviv Port were fined NIS 5,000 ($1,500) each for opening to customers a day early, according to Kan news.
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