Israel to end Covid-19 restrictions after vaccine roll-out success

JERUSALEM • Israel will end local Covid-19 restrictions following a successful vaccine roll-out that has nearly stamped out new infections, the country's Health Ministry has said.

With the majority of the population having received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and about 92 per cent of those 50 and older inoculated or recovered, Israel has been gradually reopening its economy after three lockdowns.

The country reported just 12 new virus cases on Saturday, down from a daily peak of more than 10,000 in January.

Curbs on higher-risk activities and limits on how many people can gather in a specific area remain, with a government-issued "Green Pass" that indicates immunity post-vaccination or recovery from Covid-19 allowing greater freedom.

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said on Sunday that he will not be extending the arrangement, meaning the restrictions and the Green Pass system will be revoked from the start of next month.

"The economy and the citizens of Israel will get extra room to breathe," he said, but also warned that the measures could be reimposed should the situation take a turn.

Israel will still keep its borders closed to most incoming travel, though it has started to let in small groups of vaccinated tourists.

Since mid-April, wearing a mask is no longer required in public spaces, but it is mandatory on public transport and in enclosed places.

The Health Ministry proposal must still be approved by the government.

Israel has officially recorded over 839,000 Covid-19 cases, including 6,404 deaths, since the pandemic began.

REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE