coronavirus cabinet

Israelis wear protective face masks in Dizengoff Center, Tel Aviv, on September 13, 2021 (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

February 23, 2022, 8:10 pm

After over two years, ministers agree to end COVID-19 state of emergency

Starting March 1, any new restrictions put forth by the government must be approved by the Knesset plenum or the Law and Justice Committee

By TOI staff

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

February 1, 2022, 8:45 pm

COVID cabinet votes to narrow usage of ‘Green Pass’ system

Vaccine requirement will remain in effect only for weddings, clubs and large parties; Bennett cites data showing immunization helps ward off effects of PIMS in older kids

By Amy Spiro

Medical staff wearing safety gear as they work in the coronavirus ward of Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem on January 20, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

February 1, 2022, 11:12 am

Serious COVID cases show signs of drop-off as Omicron wave ebbs

Turnaround marks first time figure has fallen since the beginning of the year; daily caseload, deaths also down; ministers to meet on abolishing Green Pass rules

By Stuart Winer

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 the Knesset in Jerusalem on October 13, 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

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

Illustrative. The 'Green Pass' seen 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