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Israel reimposes restrictions amid surge in COVID-19 cases

Despite the country's success early on in the pandemic with its lockdown and use of controversial surveillance technology, a new surge in infections has prompted a return to closures.
A mask-clad man walks past a billboard showing other mask-clad faces and adequate social distance measures, raising awareness about COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic precautions, in the centre of the Israeli city of Ramat Gan, east of Tel Aviv, on July 17, 2020. - Israel's government said it was imposing new restrictions to limit the spiraling spread of coronavirus in the hope of avoiding a general lockdown further along the line. It said that from 5:00pm local time (1400 GMT) on Friday until 5:00am every Sunda

The Israeli government instituted several restrictions today aimed at curbing the renewed spread of COVID-19 in the country.

As of Friday, gyms and dance studios are to be closed. Restaurants can only offer takeout or delivery services, except for those in hotels, which can operate at 35% capacity. On weekends, hair salons, open-air markets, malls, stores and other non-essential businesses are to be closed, as are beaches. People can only gather in groups of 10 at most in closed spaces and 20 at most in open spaces, among other measures, according to a press release from the prime minister’s office on Friday.

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