coronavirus cabinet

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, speaks with then-cabinet secretary Avichai Mandelblit during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, September 21, 2014. (AP/Menahem Kahana, Pool/File)

AG: Security cabinet can’t hold votes until permanent justice minister appointed

Amid tensions with Iran, Avichai Mandelblit’s ruling hamstrings high-level panel that approves military operations; order also ties hands of coronavirus cabinet

April 13, 2021, 9:10 pm

AG: Security cabinet can’t hold votes until permanent justice minister appointed

Amid tensions with Iran, Avichai Mandelblit’s ruling hamstrings high-level panel that approves military operations; order also ties hands of coronavirus cabinet

By TOI staff

Beitar Jerusalem fans cheer during the State Cup match between Beitar Jerusalem F.C. and Ashdod F.C. in the Teddy stadium, Jerusalem, on March 17, 2021. (Flash90)

April 8, 2021, 6:20 am

Ministers ease outdoor gathering restrictions as virus rates continue to slide

Restrictions on unvaccinated participating in Memorial Day events lifted; decision on increasing number of Israelis flying in and out of country postponed

By TOI staff

Israelis enjoy the beach on a hot spring day, in Tel Aviv, April 6, 2021.(Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

April 7, 2021, 4:31 pm

Ministers expected to lift more restrictions as virus rates continue to slide

Coronavirus cabinet will vote on raising number of people allowed to gather outdoors from 50 to 100, ease requirement for students to study in small groups

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) Defense Minister Benny Gantz (Yonatan Sindel, David Cohen/Flash90)

March 31, 2021, 1:07 am

Netanyahu blames Gantz for potential vaccine shortage in latest political spat

In 1st appearance since election night, PM warns Israel will lose its spot in ‘vaccine line’; Blue and White head says he’s ‘lying,’ blocking justice minister appointment

By TOI staff

People eat at the Azura restaurant in Jerusalem, on March 7, 2021, after Israel reopened restaurants, bars and cafes to vaccinated "green pass" holders (Menaham Kahana / AFP)

March 6, 2021, 10:17 pm

Restaurants, event venues, other sites reopen after last-minute cabinet approval

After delays, ministers approve return of many businesses; citizens allowed to return from abroad; studies to resume for grades 7-10 and in universities, colleges

By TOI staff

People who flew back to Israel seen arriving at the Dan Panorama Hotel used as a quarantine facility, on December 20, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

February 24, 2021, 12:10 pm

Ministers reinstate compulsory hotel quarantine for arrivals from abroad

Measure dependent on approval by Knesset committee, but panel chair says no meeting planned, sets up talks on matter with health minister

By Stuart Winer

An employee at a digital task force to counter "fake news" on the Internet works on a computer with a banner that reads in part: "wake up, the vaccination," in the Health Ministry office near Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

February 16, 2021, 5:07 am

How Israel plans to operate a COVID ‘green pass,’ and prevent forgeries

Many activities will only be available to those vaccinated or with negative virus tests; app and certificates with barcodes are intended to ensure only the authorized gain access

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to Channel 12 News, February 15, 2021. (Screen capture/ Channel 12)

February 15, 2021, 11:14 pm

Netanyahu: If final 570,000 over 50 get vaccinated, we’ll be done with COVID

PM also says he’s in talks with Pfizer and Moderna to purchase tens of millions more vaccine doses for the years ahead, and for Pfixer to open R&D facility in Israel

By TOI staff

Israelis walk in Jerusalem on February 15, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

February 15, 2021, 7:27 pm

Israel to open stores, gyms and culture Sunday in major move toward normalcy

Many activities will only be available to those vaccinated or with negative virus tests; an app and certificates with barcode planned to make sure only the authorized gain access

By TOI staff

Israelis sit in the sun in Tel Aviv, on February 14, 2021. (Miriam Alster/ FLASH90)

February 14, 2021, 9:58 pm

Synagogues, stores could be reopened for all Sunday; malls, gyms for vaccinated

Reported government plan would see pools and museums accessible for the immunized, with cafes and restaurants resuming operations in March

By TOI staff

Israelis on the beach in Tel Aviv, which was opened as Israel exited its third coronavirus lockdown; February 9, 2021. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

February 10, 2021, 12:12 am

Gyms, malls, hotels could be reopened to the vaccinated on February 23

Health Ministry plan lays out targets for gradual reopening of economy, envisions coffee shops and restaurants open to all by early March

By TOI staff

A burial services employee carries the body of Romania-born Holocaust survivor Golda Schwartz, who died at the age of 93 of complications of COVID-19 in Nof Hagalil Cemetery on January 28, 2021 (Gili Yaari / Flash90)

February 1, 2021, 10:27 am

30% of Israeli COVID-19 deaths were in January alone — Health Ministry data

Schools open in Bnei Brak, Jerusalem despite increased fines; Finance Minister Katz calls for commerce to restart as soon as lockdown ends

By TOI staff and Agencies

Police enforce lockdown restrictions at a termporary roadblock outside Jerusalem, January 19, 2021. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)

January 31, 2021, 10:47 pm

Ministers extend lockdown until Friday morning, keep airport closed for week

At late-night cabinet meeting, Netanyahu and Gantz spar over rules before reaching compromise on prolonging the nationwide closure, already in its 4th week

By TOI staff and Agencies

Police at a temporary roadblock in Jerusalem during a 3rd nationwide lockdown, in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, on January 19, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

January 23, 2021, 9:07 am

Israel expected to raise COVID fines, place fresh limits on air travel

TV report: Travelers to country will need negative test before flying; HMOs set to begin vaccinating 16-18-year-olds, so that matriculation exams can go ahead

By TOI staff

Israel's coronavirus czar, Prof. Nachman Ash, visits at the coronavirus department at the Ziv hospital in Safed, in northern Israel. December 24, 2020. (David Cohen/Flash90)

January 22, 2021, 11:43 pm

Israel walks back reported virus czar claim that Pfizer 1st dose less effective

After Nachman Ash quoted as saying first shot of vaccine provides less protection than company initially indicated, Health Ministry says his comments were taken out of context

By TOI staff