Israel to enter third national lockdown

Israel is heading to a third national lockdown amid the rapid spread of the coronavirus across the country.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday that the lockdown was necessary because of the spike in hospitalizations and concerns around a new mutated variant of COVID-19, which is more infectious than the strain that’s been circulating the globe since late last year. The lockdown will begin Thursday and last for two weeks.

“The hospitals are warning us that we are entering the most dangerous wave since the outbreak of the pandemic. The Health Ministry and the experts are warning us that we are in an emergency situation and that if we do not act immediately we will lose many hundreds of Israelis – and even more – who will die,” Netanyahu said, according to a copy of his remarks released by his office. 

“We must not allow this to happen, certainly not at the finish line. I am certain that all members of the Cabinet will show responsibility. At this moment, this is what the public expects of us and this is what the country needs,” he added. “I call on all citizens of Israel: Let us make a final effort – together. We will make a tightened and immediate lockdown together with the continuation of the huge vaccines operation.” 

The lockdown comes as Netanyahu also boasts of Israel’s distribution of coronavirus vaccines across the country.

Jerusalem has already overseen the vaccination of about 7 percent of Israel’s population and boasts that it has inoculated residents more quickly than any other country. However, the rate of vaccinations is reportedly anticipated to slow as the country focuses on reserving second doses for people who have already received a shot.

The country has had over 455,000 confirmed coronavirus cases since the pandemic began, and nearly 3,500 people there have died, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University.

Netanyahu previously announced lockdowns in May and September of last year. 

“This is how we will save lives. This is how we will be first in the world to emerge from the coronavirus. This is how we will open our economy and this is how we will get back to living,” he said Tuesday of the new restrictions.