Due to the ban on bonfires during the holiday of Lag Ba'omer, air pollution was reduced by up to 90% across the country, compared to the same date in 2019, the Environmental Protection Ministry reported on Tuesday.
One exception was the Ketura air quality monitor, which registered a 149% increase in air pollution since the same date in 2019, but it seems to be a local event. Tel Aviv registered around an 80% decrease in three monitoring stations, Jerusalem a 69% decrease, and a 70% decrease in Beersheba.
The ban was set to prevent mass gatherings in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The ministry informed the public it may download Air in the Environment (Avir Baseviva) and be updated on air quality as monitored across the country.