Coronavirus leading Israel into a Passover like no other
With Passover approaching, the Israeli government appears set to implement extraordinary measures to try to keep the novel coronavirus from spreading beyond control as families gather for the holiday.
Against the backdrop of a sharp increase in the number of novel coronavirus cases in Israel, the country appears to be on its way to a nationwide lockdown as it prepares for Passover, which begins Wednesday evening, April 8. The death toll in Israel from COVID-19 hit 55 at noon on April 6.
Authorities have begun implementing measures to limit movement beginning Wednesday and probably throughout the week of Passover. Decisions by Cabinet ministers in the framework of emergency regulations could see police and army patrolling roads and junctions to deter unnecessary travel.
The government decided to tighten restrictions on citizens during a late-night conference call on April 5. Authorities fear that the traditional Passover evening dinner, celebrated among extended family members, could greatly accelerate the spread of the virus, possibly to the point of losing control over attempts to curb it.
Over the past few days, Israelis have been instructed to limit the Passover evening meal to small groups, meaning the nuclear family only. Concerned that many won’t respect the directive, the government decided to notch up surveillance. Drones, helicopters and thousands of police officers will be deployed across the country beginning Wednesday evening to guarantee a full closure, keeping vehicles off the streets and roads and blocking entry to towns and villages. Anyone caught violating the restrictions will be heavily fined.
