coronavirus cabinet

An Emirates SkyCargo aicraft. (Emirates)

November 28, 2021, 5:18 pm

Emirates airline delays launch of Tel Aviv route after Israel bars entry to tourists

UAE airline says planned December 6 inauguration of regular flights from Dubai postponed until further notice amid Omicron variant scare

By TOI staff

New Hope party leader and Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar speaks at the Knesset on November 8, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

November 28, 2021, 11:03 am

Justice minister: New COVID measures unwarranted without ‘very, very strong reasons’

Gideon Sa’ar says new restrictions will hurt economy; Health Ministry chief, interior minister insist Omicron variant must be stopped before it spreads

By TOI staff

Travelers arriving at Ben Gurion Airport, on November 1, 2021. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

November 28, 2021, 3:55 am

Full text: Israel’s new rules barring foreign tourists, tightening quarantine

Coronavirus cabinet votes to reimpose some restrictions over fears of Omicron variant

Travelers at Ben Gurion Airport on September 13, 2021 (Nati Shohat/FLASH90)

November 28, 2021, 12:34 am

Israel barring tourists, renewing travel quarantine rules to contain Omicron variant

Coronavirus cabinet also approves Shin Bet tracking for confirmed virus carriers, in race to prevent spread of new COVID strain

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (right) and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz (left) hold a press conference at Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, on November 26, 2021. (Moti Milrod/Pool via Flash90)

November 27, 2021, 11:09 pm

Bennett urges ‘caution and minimal risks’ amid Omicron variant uncertainty

Health Ministry says 7 suspected cases of new virus strain, raising fears of local transmission; 50 African countries listed as ‘red’; Home Front Command scrambles to find cases

By TOI staff

People shop at the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem on October 5, 2021 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 )

November 24, 2021, 6:13 pm

Health official says new restrictions possible if COVID cases top 1,000 per day

Ministry official says crowd limits may be needed if transmission rate continues to climb; 30,000 young kids booked for vaccine appointments out of 1 million

By TOI staff

Children aged 5-11 receive their first first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Jerusalem, on November 23, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

November 23, 2021, 11:27 pm

Bennett said to warn of possible curbs over Hanukkah as COVID case numbers rise

Prime minister tells first coronavirus cabinet meeting in months that large gatherings may be banned if morbidity rises, floats antigen testing in school

By TOI staff

Israeli Green Pass holders enjoy singer Ivri Lider at a concert organized by the Tel Aviv municipality, at Bloomfield Stadium, March 5, 2021. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

November 9, 2021, 5:07 pm

PM, health minister agree to scrap capacity limits on outdoor gatherings

Masks no longer needed at large outdoor events; Green Pass canceled for indoor events of under 100 people; changes subject to approval of coronavirus cabinet, Knesset committee

By TOI staff

Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton seen during a plenum session in Knesset in Jerusalem, on October13, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)

October 20, 2021, 9:33 pm

Education minister presses Bennett to make coronavirus cabinet meetings public

In letter to PM, Yifat Shasha-Biton argues that openness and transparency are critical to building public trust in government

By Stuart Winer

An image from the Health Ministry shows the new Green Pass (left) and the old, defunct one (Courtesy)

October 4, 2021, 11:17 am

Enforcement of new Green Pass starts Thursday; venues ordered to scan QR codes

Move allows grace period after chaotic rollout of new passes on Sunday; libraries, school trips to museums exempt for now

By TOI staff

A woman shows her 'Green Pass' as she arrives at a theater in Jerusalem on February 23, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

October 3, 2021, 8:00 pm

Ministers rule to keep Green Pass requirements, even with virus on the decline

Coronavirus cabinet discusses ways to incentivize booster shots, after nearly 2 million lose eligibility for document; 575 serious virus cases, lowest since mid-August

By TOI staff

An Illustration of the new green pass, in Jerusalem, October 3, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

October 3, 2021, 6:02 am

Nearly 2 million Israelis lose Green Pass as new rules enter effect

Document granting access to certain venues for vaccinated and recovered now only valid for 6 months after last shot; coronavirus cabinet to convene Sunday for first time in a month

By TOI staff

People shop at the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem on September 29, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

October 3, 2021, 2:15 am

As COVID cases wane, Health Ministry chief drops demand for new restrictions

Coronavirus cabinet to convene Sunday for first time in over a month; meeting comes as nearly 2 million Israelis lose Green Pass under updated rules

By TOI staff

October 2, 2021, 10:14 pm

With new Green Passes coming Sunday, PM says ‘too early to celebrate’ wave’s end

All existing passes will be voided Sunday and Israel will need to issue new, updated ones; those who have not gotten COVID booster 6 months after last dose will lose their pass

By TOI staff

Medical staff wear safety gear as they work in the coronavirus ward of Shaare Zedek hospital in Jerusalem on September 23, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

September 23, 2021, 8:51 pm

Government COVID experts push strategy rethink as infections spread

Panel tells lawmakers to limit indoor gatherings to 300 people, also urges them to start making policies based on total case numbers and not just hospitalization rates

By Amy Spiro