Israel’s synagogues close doors for first time over coronavirus
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had avoided a complete nationwide lockdown, but with new COVID-19 cases continuing to rise, new directives have closed the nation's places of prayer.
For the first time in the history of the state of Israel, synagogues have been ordered to close their doors. As of this writing, tightened emergency regulations to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus include synagogues and all other inside public praying spaces.
The decision was made in the early morning hours today following a six-hour conference-call cabinet meeting. The new instructions on synagogues took effect at 5:00 PM Wednesday Israel time.
Until now, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had avoided a complete nationwide lockdown, but with the number of new COVID-19 cases continuing to rise, new directives will further curtail movement, business operations and transportation. The cabinet decided to completely halt public transportation. Taxis will be permitted to drive one client at a time.
The main point of disagreement within the cabinet concerned Netanyahu’s intention to order synagogues to close, with small prayers allowed outside buildings, in open spaces, with no more than 10 participants who must stay two meters apart.
