Green Pass

Coronavirus czar Prof. Salman Zarka attends a press conference about the coronavirus in Jerusalem on August 29, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

Virus czar warns against easing COVID restrictions too quickly, fearing 5th wave

Salman Zarka says he is still optimistic, as 734 new cases are recorded Saturday; reports say ministers to approve removal of some remaining virus rules anyway

October 17, 2021, 10:46 am

Virus czar warns against easing COVID restrictions too quickly, fearing 5th wave

Salman Zarka says he is still optimistic, as 734 new cases are recorded Saturday; reports say ministers to approve removal of some remaining virus rules anyway

By TOI staff

Illustration of the new Green Pass, in Jerusalem, on October 4, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

October 16, 2021, 11:23 pm

Enforcement of scanning Green Pass’ QR codes starts Sunday, after tech issues

Serious COVID-19 cases fall to 382, and daily positive rate hovers at 1.6%; ministers set to meet Monday to discuss easing some remaining restrictions

By TOI staff

Health Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash at press conference about the coronavirus, in Jerusalem on August 29, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

October 15, 2021, 2:32 pm

Health Ministry chief says COVID curbs to be eased, but mask mandate to continue

Nachman Ash estimates booster vaccine will offer longer protection than first 2 doses, as outbreak continues to wane; positive test rate lowest in almost 3 months

By TOI staff

Shaare Zedek hospital team members wearing safety gear as they work in the Coronavirus ward of Shaare Zedek hospital in Jerusalem, on October 14, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

October 14, 2021, 11:39 pm

PM said pushing wide rollback of COVID curbs as case numbers plummet

Measures include expanding Green Classroom pilot program to daycares, reduction of criteria requiring Green Pass for children under 12, removing gyms from Green Pass requirement

By TOI staff

People walk with face masks in Jerusalem city center on October 7, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

October 14, 2021, 12:34 pm

Number of seriously ill COVID cases drops to lowest level in 2 months

Health Ministry figures show positive test rate below 2% for fifth day in a row, but director-general warns there will be no let-up on some infection precautions for months

By Stuart Winer

People present proof of vaccination at the entrance to a Jerusalem bakery on August 8, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

October 6, 2021, 11:18 pm

‘Green Pass’ won’t be required at outdoor venues, swimming pools from next week

Government softens rules as COVID cases slide; new permits granting access to public venues to only start on October 17, according to reports

By Stuart Winer and TOI staff

Health Minister Director-General Nachman Ash attends a press conference in Jerusalem on August 29, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

October 6, 2021, 10:35 am

Top health official says fourth COVID wave on the wane, could end soon

Health Ministry director says ‘decline is clear’; virus czar predicts an easing of restrictions in light of ‘significant improvement’; PM seeks to ease quarantine rules for kids

By TOI staff

Medical staff in the coronavirus ward of the Herzog Medical Center in Jerusalem, on July 29, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

October 5, 2021, 10:11 pm

Serious COVID cases fall below 500 for first time since mid-August

Experts predict number of patients hospitalized in serious condition could drop to as low as 250 by end of month, amid growing signs of waning morbidity

By TOI staff

A woman receives a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a Clalit health care center in Jerusalem, October 3, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

October 5, 2021, 2:06 pm

Sufferers of major vaccine side effects could get ‘Green Pass’ without 3rd dose

Top Health Ministry official says an exceptions committee will look into such cases, which are believed to be rare

By Amy Spiro

In this handout photo released by the Israel Defense Forces on August 31, 2021, a soldier receives a coronavirus vaccine booster shot. (Israel Defense Forces)

October 5, 2021, 12:40 pm

IDF restricts access to military camps to Green Pass holders only

With 80% of eligible soldiers inoculated with a booster, starting October 14 conscripts will have to present proof of vaccination or recovery to enter bases

By Emanuel Fabian

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

Children are eligible for a Green Pass due to testing negative for coronavirus (PCR swab test) in the last 24 hours, they will be included in their parents' Green Pass. (Courtesy Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

October 3, 2021, 2:14 pm

Daily Briefing Oct. 3 – Green Pass system crashes, wreaking havoc for Israelis

Science and health writer Nathan Jeffay and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur on repercussions of Green Pass chaos and Netanyahu’s new book

By TOI staff

In this Feb. 23, 2021, file photo, a man presents his Green Pass at the Khan Theater (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)

October 3, 2021, 10:15 am

Green Pass update delayed as Health Ministry system crashes, causing chaos

Ministry says old passes will still be valid for a few more days, after website is unable to keep up with demand for permits

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