The Health Ministry reported on Monday morning that 1,102 people in Israel were diagnosed with coronavirus during the last day. There were 453 people in serious condition, including 123 who were intubated. The death toll stands at 922.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry was working to implement the “traffic-light” program presented by coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu, which was approved by approved by coronavirus cabinet unanimously on Sunday night. The plan will go into effect Sunday, September 6. The cabinet also added a number of new countries to the list of green states from which Israelis can return without entering isolation and rolled out an outline for how to handle prayer services during the Hebrew months of Elul and Tishrei. Gamzu spoke after the cabinet meeting and said a color would soon be assigned to every one of the country’s 250 cities.
An initial plan for prayer services is that they can be held outside in large groups of up to 250 people who are divided into capsules of 20 people. Each capsule would need to be clearly marked and individuals should sit two meters apart unless they are from the same nuclear family.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion asked community leaders throughout the city to help the city prepare for the holidays in a letter on Monday.
"In recent weeks, we have been working to formulate a special plan to facilitate the tens of thousands of worshipers," wrote Lion. "I would love to hear more suggestions for streamlining and improving the experience of worshipers in order to enable, as much as possible, the maintenance of routine.”
The nation's capital has been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with large outbreaks reported in the city for the past few months, although the city seems to have shown progress in fighting the virus in recent weeks. As of Monday, there were 2,558 active cases in Jerusalem, with the city designated as an orange zone. Over 50% of those infected in the city are from east Jerusalem, according to data presented by Lion to coronavirus Gamzu earlier this month.
Meanwhile, only 45% of those who were given coronavirus fines since the start of the pandemic have paid up, Ynet reported on Sunday.
According to Israeli law, fines are due to be paid within 90 days from the moment they were issued. After 90 days, a 50% interest is added to the sum charged, in addition to legal measures that are taken against the perpetrators.