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Israel extends nationwide virus lockdown by five days

The cabinet also voted to keep the ban on international flights in place through at least Sunday.
TOPSHOT - A priest crosses a nearly deserted street during a lockdown imposed by the authorities in a bid to fight spread of the coronavirus in the centre of Jerusalem, on January 28, 2021. (Photo by Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP) (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel has extended its lockdown by an additional five days, with the cabinet voting Sunday to keep schools and most businesses closed through at least Friday morning.

The nationwide lockdown, now is in its fourth week, is Israel’s third since the start of the pandemic. A ban on international commercial air travel will also stay in place through Feb. 7 and the border crossings to Jordan and Egypt will remain shut, according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Health Ministry.

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